Introduction
Praying for your church means bringing before God the prayers already found in the Bible: Jesus prays for the unity of his own, Paul prays for the growth of the communities he founded, and the apostles ask the churches to pray for them. You do not need to invent your prayer topics: Scripture gives them to you. Here are 20 verses in the Louis Segond version, grouped into five areas: unity, leaders, the spiritual growth of members, mission, and perseverance. Each reference links to the full text on BibleGateway.
Praying for the Unity of Your Church
1. John 17:23
"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
In his prayer before the cross, Jesus asks the Father that his disciples be perfectly one, so that the world may believe. Praying for the unity of your church means joining Jesus' own prayer. Read John 17:23.
2. 1 Corinthians 1:10
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
Paul writes to a church torn by divisions. This verse gives you the words to ask God for one mind and one judgment in your community. Read 1 Corinthians 1:10.
3. Ephesians 4:3
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
According to this passage, unity is not something to create but to preserve: it comes from the Spirit. Ask God to preserve the bond of peace in your assembly. Read Ephesians 4:3.
4. Psalm 133:1
"A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
This psalm of ascents celebrates the sweetness of brotherly fellowship. A simple prayer: that your church may concretely taste that sweetness. Read Psalm 133:1.
To go deeper on this first area, read our article 20 Verses on the Unity of the Church.
Praying for Your Pastor and Leaders
5. Ezra 7:10
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
Ezra studied the Word, put it into practice, then taught it -- in that order. Pray that your leaders live out these three priorities. Read Ezra 7:10.
6. Ephesians 6:19
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel."
Paul, an apostle, himself asked for the church's prayer to proclaim the gospel with boldness. Your pastor needs it just as much as he did. Read Ephesians 6:19.
7. 1 Timothy 3:2
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach."
This portrait of the church leader is demanding. Pray that your leaders live out this integrity, in their conduct as in their household. Read 1 Timothy 3:2.
8. 2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Paul entrusts Timothy with the charge of preaching in every situation. Pray for the faithfulness and gentleness of those who teach in your church. Read 2 Timothy 4:2.
9. Hebrews 13:17
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
Leaders watch over souls and will give account to God. Pray that they exercise this charge with joy, not with groaning. Read Hebrews 13:17.
On this topic, also read 25 Bible Verses on Leadership.
Praying for the Spiritual Growth of Members
10. Colossians 1:9-10
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
This is Paul's prayer for the church at Colossae: know God's will, walk in a worthy manner, bear fruit. A model you can adopt as is for your community. Read Colossians 1:9-10.
11. Philippians 1:9-10
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ."
Paul asks that the Philippians' love grow in discernment. Pray that love in your church may be clear-sighted and help each person mature. Read Philippians 1:9-10.
12. Ephesians 3:16-17
"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love."
Paul prays here for the inner strength of believers and for Christ to dwell in their hearts. Ask this for every member of your assembly. Read Ephesians 3:16-17.
13. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power."
Paul prays continually for God to accomplish the work of faith in the Thessalonians. Regularity is part of intercession. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
These prayers also concern those who serve: our pillar article 25 Bible Verses on Serving in the Church complements them well.
Praying for Mission and Witness
14. Matthew 9:37-38
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
Jesus explicitly commands this prayer: ask for workers for the harvest. Pray for servants to rise up in your church. Read Matthew 9:37-38.
15. Matthew 28:19-20
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
This is the missionary command given by Jesus, accompanied by a promise: his presence. Pray that your church makes disciples while relying on this promise. Read Matthew 28:19-20.
16. Acts 2:47
"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
The first church praised God, and it was the Lord who added those who were being saved. Pray that God grants this growth to your community. Read Acts 2:47.
Praying for Perseverance and Faithfulness
17. Luke 18:1
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
This verse introduces the parable of the widow and the judge. It grounds the perseverance of your intercession for the church: always pray, do not give up. Read Luke 18:1.
18. Ephesians 6:18
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
This verse concludes the passage on the Christian's armor: pray at all times, for all saints. Intercession for the church is part of spiritual warfare. Read Ephesians 6:18.
19. Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
An encouragement for tired servants and volunteers. Pray that no one in your church grows weary of doing good. Read Galatians 6:9.
20. Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Watching over one another and not forsaking the assembly: pray for the faithfulness of the members in gathering and in mutual encouragement. Read Hebrews 10:24-25.
To hold on over time, also read 20 Verses on Perseverance in Ministry.
Key Takeaways
- You do not need to invent your prayer topics for your church: the prayers of Jesus (John 17) and Paul (Colossians 1, Philippians 1, Ephesians 3) are models you can adopt.
- The unity of the church is a priority prayer topic: Jesus himself asked the Father for it.
- Your leaders need your prayers: integrity, faithfulness in teaching, courage, and joy in their charge (Hebrews 13:17).
- Mission runs through prayer: Jesus asks us to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).
- Intercession requires perseverance: always pray, do not give up (Luke 18:1), at all times and for all saints (Ephesians 6:18).
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you pray concretely for your church?
Choose two or three topics per day from Paul's prayers (Colossians 1:9-10, Philippians 1:9-10, Ephesians 3:16-17): the knowledge of God's will, a love that grows in discernment, inner strength given by the Spirit. You can follow this article's list over a week, one group of verses per day, and use these texts as prayers addressed to God for your community.
Why pray for your pastor and church leaders?
Because they watch over souls and will give account to God (Hebrews 13:17), and because they need courage to proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:19). Intercession is also a better response than criticism: praying regularly for a leader helps you understand them, support them, and ask God for what he expects of them.
Which verses should you pray for the unity of the church?
John 17:23, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3, and Psalm 133:1 are the most cited passages: Jesus himself prays that his own be perfectly one, and Paul asks the churches to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
to take notes and ask questions.