prayer for pastor search

Psalm 66:18, John 15:5, Ephesians 5:18 — Pray for deep spiritual cleansing and fullness of the Holy Spirit in each committee member. Pray this for each member by name— Paul, Spence, Anna, Tonya, Luis, Aaron, Carrie, Andy, David, Eric, Mickee, Jeshua, Sandra, & Lisa.

Colossians 1:9 — Pray for God to fill the Administration & Coaching leaders, Spence Boelter & Paul Singer, with knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom & understanding and for strength.

Amos 3:3, Matthew 18:19, Ephesians 4:3 — Pray for powerful unity and oneness in spirit within the committee.

James 1:5, Isaiah 55:8-9 — Pray for God’s clear direction in how resumes are examined and interviews conducted. Ask God to bring the right person to the attention of the committee

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 — Pray for the Search Committee to have God’s wisdom in all the questions and information they share with the prospective pastor. Spirit-led thoroughness is essential.

James 1:5-6 — Pray for the committee to have wisdom and discernment as to the unique characteristics and traits most needed for our church in a pastor.

Pray for the committee to have no timetable but God’s. They must be determined to find God’s perfect will in God’s perfect time.

Ephesians 6:10-12 — Pray for the prevention of Satan’s influence in misleading or rushing the search committee (One of Satan’s tactics is deception). Pray for a powerful hedge of protection around the committee and their families.

I Corinthians 1:10, Acts 2:1 — Pray for God’s guidance in how the future pastor is presented to the church. Pray that there would be no division among the Pastor Search Committee or the congregation – only unity.

Philippians 2:3-11 — Pray that the Pastor Search Committee will seek God’s will for the church above their own desires.

Jeremiah 29:13, James 4:8 — Pray the pastor search period will be a time the church learns to seek God Himself more than just a new pastor. “Lord, teach us to draw closer to Jesus and trust Him as the true head of the church and not in man.”

Psalm 66:18, Psalm 139:23-24 — Pray for a powerful move of congregational cleansing and renewal. “Father, please cause this to be a time of deep cleansing and renewal in our church. May we always be the church You have called us to be. It is all about You and not us.”

Revelation 2:1-4, Revelation 3:15 — Pray for strong consistency and focus in the present ministry of the church. “Please grant great power to our senior pastor and to our staff. Protect us from any spirit of being luke-warm or losing our first love. Protect us from the evil one and remind us that we serve Jesus, not a pastor.”

John 13:34, John 17:21 — Pray for a miraculous sense of love and unity among all members of the church. “Help us surrender all bitterness, division and anger within our church family. Lord, empower us to love one another with a patient, forgiving love.”

John 17:21, I Corinthians 1:10 — Pray for great unity in calling the new pastor. “Lord, help us to receive him and his family with deep love and renewed commitment. Grant us a powerful sense of revival and spiritual awakening as we move into the future.” Pray for grace, guidance and strength for the church from which our new pastor comes.

Ephesians 4:1-6 — Pray that we be prepared to make the necessary changes to embrace a new day of ministry. “Lord, we understand that a new pastor always means changes. Help us to be prepared to change and grow with graciousness and unity so we can be the church You have called us to be.”

Hebrews 6:12 — Pray that we will patiently await God’s timing and settle for nothing less than His perfect will. Ask God for His mercy in giving us a true man of God and a great leader.

Philippians 2:3-11 — Pray that all the church members will set aside individual expectations for the new pastor and decide in unity who God is calling to lead Gateway Church to be the church God has called us to be.

Isaiah 42:9 — Some churches struggle with wanting a pastor who is like their previous pastor. Others desire someone who is just the opposite. Pray that all would be receptive to God’s doing a new thing in the congregation and accept His perfect will above our own desires.

Hebrews 13:17 — Pray that the church as a whole would trust the Pastor Search Committee through the process of finding a new pastor. Pray that the congregation would trust that the Pastor Search Committee is being led by the Spirit as they search for the man God is bringing to Gateway and there would be no division.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 — Pray that God would increase our next pastor’s passion for preaching the Word of God and he would boldly proclaim the truth.

Philippians 1:3-11 — Pray that God would give our next pastor a love for our church and strength to leave his current position. Pray that God would make His will known to him and his family.

Colossians 1:9-12 — Pray for our next pastor’s family. Of course, the new pastor may be married or single, may have children or not. God knows all of that. Pray that God, who knows who they are, would strengthen and guide the new pastor’s family as they are led toward ministry at Gateway Church. Give them peace in knowing God’s will.

Romans 12:9-13 — Pray that God would prepare our pastor to always have great zeal and passion for serving the Lord in his ministry. Pray for God’s strength in his weakness and may he be faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6:16 — Pray for the future pastor and his family to have absolute certainty in their sense of call to our church. He must know God’s direction. Pray also for protection from the evil one and for our future pastor and his family.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 — Pray for God’s strength and guidance in the pastor’s former church. Pray that those with whom he is currently ministering would trust God’s plan for his servant in leading him to a new location of ministry.

Amos 4:13 — Pray that the new pastor will have a clear vision for how to minister to the people of Gateway Church and the surrounding community. Pray that many will come to know Jesus through our church.

Luke 12:22-31 — Pray that the new pastor and his family will be able to smoothly transition to our church. This would include the needs of his wife and children in making new friends. Also involved would be physical needs such as housing, schooling, etc. that must be settled upon moving to a new area. Pray that they will feel they have always been with us.

Psalm 133 — Pray that the new pastor would be able to work effectively with the other church staff and deacons that are already serving at Gateway Church.

Joshua 1:8-9 — Pray that God would protect the new pastor’s heart as he prepares to leave his current ministry and move to a new ministry. Pray that the stresses of moving, meeting new people, maintaining relationships, etc. would not interfere with his need to continually develop his relationship with God. Pray that God would give him and his family peace knowing they are in God’s will.

Colossians 3:12-17 — Above all, pray that God’s will would be done through the entire process of finding a new pastor for Gateway Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give everyone involved in this process wisdom and peace. Pray that God will show us whom He is calling to Gateway.