Prayer for the pastor and staff:
Pray for protection against the plans of the enemy. Declare “no weapon formed against Pastor ____________________________, and family members ____________________________ will prosper, and every tongue that rises against them will be cast down.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Pray that the urgent of the day will not interfere with God’s will for Pastor ____________________________’s tasks of the day.
Pray that your pastor will maintain focus on what he/she is to do daily, free from distraction.
Pray for godly discernment and wisdom. (James 1:5; Ephesians 1:16-17)
Ask that Pastor ____________________________ would “trust in the Lord with all his/her heart and lean not on his/her own understanding. In all his/her ways acknowledging God so that He will direct his path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pray that the church’s staff would be covered and protected by God, who will give angels charge over them to keep them wherever they go. (Psalm 91:11)
Pray that the staff of ____________________________ Church would do the work of God without growing weary or faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)
Pray that the staff would put God’s desires before their own, trying to do God’s will for their life and ministry.
Prayer for musicians or worship leaders:
Pray that ____________________________ Church’s musicians would have the heart of David for worship of God.
Pray that the musicians and singers of the church would “sing of God’s love and justice. That they would praise the Lord with songs.” (Psalm 101:1)
Pray that the musicians, choir, and/or praise and worship team, would “shout with joy to the Lord, and worship the Lord with gladness. Pray that they would come before God, singing with joy.” (Psalm 100:1-2)
Prayer for the people of the church:
Pray that all people of ____________________________ Church will “let love be their highest goal.” (1 Cor. 14:1a)
Pray that the people of the church will “let their love for each other overflow more and more, and that they will keep on growing in their knowledge and understanding.” (Philippians 1:9)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church would “agree wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2)
Pray that the congregation would “be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. (1 Peter 3:8)
Pray that ____________________________ Church people would live “a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)
Pray that each person will “devote ourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Colossians 4: 2)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church would “be a living and holy sacrifice” to God’s work in ____________________________ (Romans 12:1)
Pray that the leaders of the church’s ministries “might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.” (1 Cor. 2:5)
Pray that it is love that builds up ____________________________ Church, not knowledge. (1 Cor. 8:1)
Pray that all of the church’s ministries would produce the Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Pray that the work of ____________________________ Church will “equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ…becoming more and more in every way like Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13, 15)
Pray that the Lord would make peace between person in the church, breaking down any wall of hostility used to separates them. (Ephesians 2:15)
Pray that God, “who gives us patience and encouragement, will help us live in complete harmony with each other.” (Romans 15:5)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church will be united just as the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are One, so that the world will believe. (John 17:11, 21)
Pray that the church will be pure and holy by the teachings of God’s words of truth. (John 17:17)
Pray that the Holy Spirit would come upon the people of the church so they will receive power and will tell people everywhere about Jesus. (Acts 1:8)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church would meet together regularly and pray continually. (Acts 1:14)
Pray that believers would be united as they lift their voices in prayer. (Acts 4:24)
Pray that “God’s message would be preached in ever-widening circles and that the number of believers would greatly increase.” (Acts 6:7)
Pray that each person of the church would be eager to encourage one another in faith. (Romans 1:12)
Pray that “we can really serve God not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6)
Pray that within the church there would be no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church would not “copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. Then we will know what God wants us to do, and we will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:2)
Pray for the ministries of the church:
Pray that through the ministries of the church “God’s message would be preached in ever-widening circles, and that the number of believers would greatly increase.” (Acts 6:7)
Pray that the ministries of ____________________________ Church would cause “large numbers of people to be brought to the Lord.” (Acts 11:24b)
Declare that the ministries of the church would “not be ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
Pray that the ministries of ____________________________ Church would build up faith. (Romans 10:17)
Declare that the church’s ministry would be dedicated “to God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Christ Jesus. Amen. (Romans 16:27)
Pray that the lost in ____________________________ will be won over “by the miracles done through us as signs from God-all by the power of God’s Spirit.” (Romans 15:19)
Pray that the leaders of the ministries “might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.” (1 Cor. 2:5)
Pray that the Word spoken at ____________________________ Church would be “not just fancy talk” but by God’s power. (1 Cor.4:20)
Pray that it is love that builds up the church, not knowledge. (1 Cor. 8:1)
Pray that all ministries produce the Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Pray that the work of ____________________________ Church will “equip God’s people to do God’s work and build up the church, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ…becoming more and more in every way like Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13, 15)
Pray for the purpose to be to please God, not people. “God is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
Pray that the purpose of instruction in the church would be “that all Christians would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5)
Pray that all instruction would “not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales, but would spend time and energy in training all for spiritual fitness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)
Pray that all leaders would “live wisely and fair, with a devout and disciplined life.” (Titus 1:8)
Pray that all ministries would help to “build our lives on the foundation of our holy faith.” (Jude 20)
Pray to the Lord “who is in charge of the harvest, and ask the Lord to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few.” (Luke 10:2)
Pray for the worship service(s):
Pray that at ____________________________ Church, worship would cause “deaf people to hear words read from a book, and blind people will see through the gloom and darkness. The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. Those who are poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:18)
Pray that all would “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” during worship. (Psalm 106:1)
Pray that each person would “come before God with thanksgiving, singing to God psalms of praise.” (Psalm 95:2)
Pray that everyone will “enter the courts of the Lord with our whole being, body, and soul, shouting joyfully to the living God.” (Psalm 84:2)
Pray that people “wait quietly before God, for our hope is in Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
Pray that praise would cause the Presence of the Lord to fill the Temple of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
Pray that effort would cause the church to be not just another building-but for the Lord! (1 Chronicles 29:1)
Pray that worship would bring back the Tent of Meeting, where Moses would meet with God face to face as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33:8-11)
Pray that worship would cause the glorious presence of the Lord to fill the church. (Exodus 40:34-38)
Pray for the Mission and Vision of the church:
Pray for wisdom and spiritual understanding for the leadership of ____________________________ as they define the mission and vision of the church. (Ephesians 1:17; James 1:5)
Pray that each ministry of the church would do “its own special work, so that the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Pray that the vision and mission of ____________________________ would cause it “to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10)
Pray that the vision and mission of the church would help people to “try to understand what the Lord wants us to do.” (Ephesians 5:17)
Pray that the work of the church will continue until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. (Philippians 1:6)
Pray that the church will have the desire to obey God and the power to do what pleases God. (Philippians 2:13)
Pray that the church will keep working toward that day when it will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved us for and wants us to be. (Philippians 3:12)
Pray that God will give ____________________________ Church a complete understanding of what God wants to do in each person’s life, and that God will make each person wise with spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9)
Pray that the church “would not be led astray by empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world and not from Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church will “humble themselves before God, and resist the Devil.” (James 4:7)
Pray that the humility of the church would bring honor to God. (Proverbs 29:23)
Pray that the people of ____________________________ Church will “humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways so that God will hear from heaven and will forgive our sins and heal our land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
www.inumc.org
Have you ever been reading your Bible and noticed how Paul prays such rich, kingdom-saturated prayers for churches?
- For the church in Thessalonica: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (2 Thess. 1:11; see also 1 Thess. 1:9–13).
- For the church in Colossae: “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9–10).
- For the church in Ephesus: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him” (Eph. 1:16–17; see also 3:14–21).
- For the church in Rome (Rom. 15:14–33) and the church in Philippi (Phil. 1:9–11).
Of course, there’s far more where this came from. See Don Carson’s excellent book on the topic, Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Baker) , as well as TGC’s corresponding eight-session group study curriculum (LifeWay) .
Leading the Charge
It’s comparatively easy for you and me to pray for ourselves, our families, and our friends. But how can we learn how to pray more fervently and consistently for our local churches?
For one, we just need to start doing it—and encouraging others to do so.
To help with that, here are 18 things you can pray for your church. They aren’t as rich as Paul’s since I wanted to keep them simple and Twitter-length. (Also because I’m not inspired.) Still, perhaps you could print out this article and pray two or three of the points below per day for the next week—maybe in your quiet time, maybe at the family dinner table.
Also, consider copying and pasting your favorite prayers below into Twitter or Facebook, led by the phrase “Pray for your church: . . .” Don’t insert my Twitter handle or TGC’s. You don’t have enough room, and it’s not the point. The point is to use your social media platform to encourage others to pray for their church.
Who knows? One day in glory, perhaps we’ll see all the good accomplished from believers being more deliberate about praying for their churches.
What to Pray For
1. That we would have unity amid diversity—loving those with whom we have nothing in common but the gospel.
2. That a culture of discipling would form in which making disciples is viewed as an ordinary part of the Christian life.
3. That faithful elders would use Scripture to train members to do the work of ministry.
4. That a hunger for studying the gospel would form among members so that they can guide and guard one another in it.
5. That transparent, meaningful relationships would become normal and remaining anonymous strange.
6. The preaching of God’s Word—that it would be biblically careful and Holy Spirit imbued.
7. That elders would remain above reproach, kept from temptation, complacency, idols, and worldliness.
8. That the church’s songs would teach members to biblically confess, lament, and praise.
9. That the church’s prayers would be infused with biblical ambitions, honesty, and humility.
10. That adult members would work to disciple teenagers and not just leave it to programming.
11. That the church’s primary teachers grow in dedication to God’s Word even when no one’s watching.
12. That it would grow in being distinct from the world in love and holiness, even as it engages outsiders.
13. That members would share the gospel this week—and see more conversions!
14. That members would be prepared for persecution, remembering to love, not curse, their persecutors.
15. That hopes for political change would be outstretched by the hope of heaven.
16. That giving would be faithul, as well as joyful, consistent, and sacrificial.
17. That more members would use their careers to take the gospel to places it’s never been.
18. That members would be good and do good in their workplaces this week.
Can you think of something I didn’t include? Then pray it and share it! This is hardly the “official list” of the 18 most important things to pray. They’re simply what one guy thought of while sitting in his office chair.
The point is for all of us to start praying more intentionally for our churches, and to encourage others to do the same.
www.thegospelcoalition.org
Pastor of Community Action & Christian Education
phone: (937) 429-0541 x108
email: [email protected]
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Ed is a native of the Land of Lincoln, having lived in Illinois for most of his life. He is married to Sally, whom he met at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, where they both graduated. They have been married for 29 years.
Ed served for over eighteen years as minister of adult discipleship with Rochester Christian Church, in Rochester, IL, which is right outside of Springfield. He graduated with a Master of Arts in New Testament studies from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and is close to completing his Doctor of Ministry from there, specializing in spiritual formation. For the past several years he worked as a supervisor with Gander Mountain and served as a volunteer, teaching classes at Lakeside Christian Church, where Sally is also the office manager.
Ed and Sally have been blessed with two great children who love the Lord. Samuel, who is married to Mykenzie, serves on staff with a church in Clinton, IL, and Anna will graduate this year from Missouri Southern State University and Ozark Christian College. Ed is kind of a sci-fi geek, and he loves to read and fish and eat Sally’s cooking — which is also why he tries to run semi-regularly, to keep the pounds off.
Pastor of Missional Coaching & Involvement
phone: (937) 429-0541 x104
email: [email protected]
twitter: @Booklovingbeast
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As a next-gen pastor, Stew oversees cradle to college, and he works hands-on with our middle school through college students. He and his wife Dawn and their two daughters, Maddie and Abbi, have been part of BCC since 2013, when Stew was first called to be our Student Community Pastor. Stew has been a pastor for 25 years, serving both in churches and with a para-church organization known as The Navigators. In each ministry, God has shown him over and over again the necessity for helping people become disciples who can pass along their walk with Jesus to another person so they too can walk with Jesus. His entire ministry is centered around imitating Jesus and helping others do the same.
Stew is also a GIANT comic book geek. He has over 1700 comic books. His dream is to one day own Detective Comics #27, the first appearance of Batman. A tattered copy can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, so his wife Dawn keeps a close eye on the credit cards.
Stew loves the kids of BCC and their openness and willingness to be the first on the frontier of the Kingdom of God. They show Stew all the time what it means to be a disciple who takes walking with Jesus seriously, and they do it without trying. They really live out the scripture in 1 Timothy 4: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, instead be an example for the believers in love, in faith, and in purity.”
The entire book of James is a favorite for Stew, because it’s about doing something about our faith, not just believing. According to James, belief includes action. Stew thinks that we should not just talk about how much we love Jesus, but also do what he asks us to do. Doing demonstrates what a person believes.
Pastor of Congregational Care, Community Outreach & Operations
phone: (937) 429-0541 x103
email: [email protected]
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Chris originally joined the BCC staff in June 2012 as the Executive Pastor. For the next four years Chris managed the staff, day-to-day operations and children’s ministry. Prior to BCC, he served as a youth and associate pastor for 12 years in two other churches near Akron, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. Chris was called into vocational ministry while on a short-term missions trip to Guyana, South America when he was 16 years old. After high school, he graduated from Kentucky Christian University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministry and Bible.
He briefly left the BCC staff in 2016 to launch Lead Life BIG, a coaching and leadership training business through which he equips individuals, teams and organizations to clarify their purposes and break through barriers so they can grow to reach their potential. As a growing leader of more than 20 years, Chris felt the Lord leading him to reach beyond the walls of the local church into the business community to help improve the quality of leadership. He is a certified member of the John Maxwell Team as a coach/speaker/trainer focusing on leadership development. He is also certified with the Igniting Souls Team focusing on coaching people in the areas of identity, purpose, and vocational calling.
Chris served the BCC staff and elders as a consultant for 9 months during a leadership transition beginning in August 2016. He rejoined the staff full-time in May 2017 to serve as the pastor overseeing our congregational care (shepherding), community outreach (evangelism), and operations teams.
Chris married his high school sweetheart, Jill, on May 18, 2001. Jill is a middle school teacher in Beavercreek. They have three children: Ryan, Evan and Anna. They live in Beavercreek and are very active in local youth sports and their children’s schools.
Worship Arts Director
phone: (937) 902-9336
email: [email protected]
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Adam and his wife Bethany have been attending BCC since January 2018. They reside in Xenia with their 3 dogs and 2 cats. Married since October 2016, they’ve both served in worship ministries their entire lives. Bethany and Adam feel blessed being called to BCC and are excited to see what God has planned for the Worship Ministry. Adam’s gifts are in Apostolic ministries and Evangelism.
After careful prayer and reflection Adam decided to actively search for a worship position within the Greater Dayton area, and at the same time BCC was looking for a permanent Worship Arts Director, so God’ timing is perfect. Bethany currently works at Cedarville University in the Accounting Department and is originally from the South Jersey area, outside of Philadelphia.
Adam grew up in Kettering. A graduate of Fairmont High School (2003), he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership at Wright State University (2007). His “day job” (which is actually at night) is with Dayton Power & Light Company working in the emergency services department. Adam is also a founding board member of the Greater Dayton Flag Football League, an adult league promoting community service and sportsmanship.
Calling Adam a diehard Cleveland Browns fan would be putting it lightly. Despite nearly two decades of the team losing, Adam’s enthusiasm has done nothing but grow. A finalist for the 2018 FanSided.com Fan-of-the-Year Award, Adam has taken his love for Cleveland Browns football and partnered it with his passion for service, participating in the A21 Walk For Freedom, dedicated to eradicating modern day slavery, and raising funds for the Cleveland Browns Foundation. Adam continues to look for unique ways to serve others while sharing his love, not only of football, but also of Jesus Christ!
Bookkeeper/Facilities Manager
phone: (937) 429-0541 x102
email: [email protected]
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Terri and her husband Matt began attending BCC in 1988. In 1996, they moved to Iowa and had two boys, James and Josh. They moved back to Ohio in 1999 and returned to BCC. Terri began working as the church bookkeeper in July of 1999. In May of 2000, Matt began a career in full-time ministry, so the Fleck family worshiped for 15 years at a sister church in the area. They recently returned to worship and minister at BCC.
Terri accepted a full time combo-position as bookkeeper and Facilities Director. Terri and Matt are excited about what God is doing through the people here at BCC and in our community. They love being a part of a group of people who demonstrate God’s love for others in such real ways.
Terri received her bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in social work, but has diversified her career path to include starting a lawn and landscape business with her son James. When Terri is not working, you can find her either on the side of a soccer field watching Josh play or enjoying some form of outdoor activity, water sports, camping or hiking.
Terri’s favorite scripture is Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve others.”
Children’s Pastor
phone: (937) 429-0541 x106
email: [email protected]
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Kristi and her family began attending BCC in 2006 when they moved to the area with the Air Force. They had to leave after only a year, but returned to Beavercreek in 2013 and picked up where they left off at BCC. Kristi and her husband have 4 children: Riley, Mary, Cory and Lucy. After a long Air Force career, they decided to make Beavercreek their home, and have retired here.
Before having a family, Kristi was an elementary school teacher. She currently home-schools their children while serving as the Elementary Ministry Coordinator at BCC. Kristi enjoys sewing, singing, hiking and cycling. She is committed to Bike MS, and has participated in several Bike MS events in multiple states, with her sights on many more. She drinks a lot of carbonated water in a half-hearted attempt to curb her consumption of Dr. Pepper.
Kristi loves working at BCC. She says she has an incredible team, the projects engage her creative side, and she has a real soft spot for kids. The image of a God who is mighty to save taking delight in her, quieting her with His love, and rejoicing over her with singing makes Zephaniah 3:17 one of Kristi’s favorite verses.
POLC Director
phone: (937) 429-0541 x111
email: [email protected]
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Cara and her kids moved from North Carolina to Beavercreek in 2009. When they arrived, they chose BCC because of the sense of community and BCC’s discipleship focus. A few months after moving to the area, Cara walked into BCC’s preschool ministry and was hired as an assistant in Precious Ones Learning Center’s kindergarten class. In 2014, she accepted the position of the Director of POLC.
Cara’s work history spans the opposite ends of the age spectrum, from nursing home residents and adults with disabilities in Seattle, to working as a preschool director at a church in North Carolina. With a master’s degree in art, she parlays that love into all things creative… sewing, photography, printmaking, and paper crafting.
She says the camaraderie and playful vibe among the preschool and ministry staff make BCC a great place to come each day. Who wouldn’t love this job! Cara’s favorite Bible passage is Psalm 94:18-19, reminding her that all make mistakes, but the Lord is there to bring her joy, support her, and help her along the way.
Office Manager
phone: (937) 429-0541
email: [email protected]
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Stefanie has been with BCC since October 2016. She feels blessed to be a member and on staff. Since her family moved to the Dayton area in January, they have been embraced and welcomed at both BCC and POLC. They are excited about learning and moving forward in their journey with the church.
Stefanie has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and ten years of banking and financial background. She also does photography. Stefanie’s family has been a military family for 13 years. Her husband James now serves in the Reserves at Wright Patterson AFB. They have a son Logan and daughter Lily. Stefanie enjoys crafting, sewing and antique shopping in her spare time.
Having been a military wife, Stefanie has experienced lots of change and knows it is inevitable. She has really learned to let go and anticipate whatever is next in her journey with the Lord. Her favorite bible verse right now is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
beavercreekchristian.org
I am the daughter of a Baptist pastor. Most of my childhood was spent as a PK or living in seminary village. I believe the power of prayer for a pastor and his family is unspeakable.
“Prayer meetings were the arteries of the early church. Through them, life-sustaining power was derived. The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meetings. So is the prayer meeting a grace-ometer, and from it we may judge of the amount of divine working among a people. If God be near a church, it must pray. And if He be not there, one of die first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer!”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon Everything by Prayer
For the month of August we are going to pray for our pastors and church staff. Our pastors NEED our prayers! I truly believe there is no greater gift we can give them than our prayers. The awesome thing about prayer is that it leads to love and unity. When we spend 31 days praying for someone, we love them more. I have seen that time and time again in my own life and in various relationships. If you take issue with something happening in your church, I challenge you to spend the next 31 days in PRAYER, specifically for your pastor, your worship leaders, your youth ministers…and see what God does! I guarantee you that your heart will be changed, to say the least.
Table of contents
31 Verses to Pray for Our Pastors
Find all the other month’s of Scriptures to pray here!
Verses to Pray for Our Pastors PDF
Praying for Your Pastor ANY Month
Several of you have asked for these verses withOUT a month at the top so that you can pray for your pastor, especially during Pastor Appreciation Month! Here ya go!
31 Verses to Pray for Our Pastors no month PDF
Manley Friends
I made a special sheet just for our own church so we can pray together for Pastor Tony and our staff! If you would like to print this off and join me in praying beginning August 1st I think it would be so awesome to pray these verses collectively for our staff!
We will also have sheets printed to pass out to you on Sunday!
Prayers for Pastor Tony and Staff PDF
More Resources for Praying for our Pastors & Churches
- 30 Day Praying for your Pastor Challenge
- More Verses to Pray for Pastors
- How to Pray for Pastoral Staff from John Piper
- Printable Prayer Calendar for your pastors
mercyisnew.com
