Sometimes God seems far away and unable to help. Do you ever feel lost? Insecure? Angry or fearful? Then it’s time to ask God for prayer and guidance. Prayer is the way we communicate with our Creator and can provide a sense of direction, perspective, discipline and empowerment. Make use of these prayers for Bible study leaders to help others find direction in their lives.
Bible study is an essential part of the Christian journey, allowing us to delve deeper into God’s Word and discover His truth. As a Bible study leader, it is crucial to start each session with prayer, seeking guidance and understanding from the Holy Spirit. Here are ten prayers you can use as a Bible study leader before delving into the Word:
10 Prayers Before Bible Study
Prayer 1
Dear Heavenly Father, as we gather today to study your Word, we ask for your guidance and wisdom. Open our hearts and minds to receive your truth and help us to apply it to our lives. Let your Holy Spirit lead us into a deeper understanding of your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Prayer 2
Lord, we thank you for the privilege of studying your Word together. We humbly ask for your presence to be with us as we delve into the scriptures. Grant us clarity of thought and understanding as we seek to grow in our knowledge of you. May your Word transform us and equip us for every good work. Amen.
Prayer 3
Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts, ready to receive the wisdom and truth found in your Word. Help us to approach our study with reverence and humility, seeking to honor you in all that we do. Illuminate our minds and spirits as we seek to grow in our faith and knowledge of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer 4
Lord God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. As we gather for Bible study, we ask for your light to illuminate our hearts and minds. Help us to grasp the depth of your love and the richness of your grace as we study together. May your Word guide us in all that we do. Amen.
Prayer 5
Gracious Father, we thank you for the gift of your Word, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Be with us as we study today, and help us to rightly divide the Word of truth. May your Spirit speak to us and teach us the deep things of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer 6
Dear Lord, as we open your Word today, we pray for a spirit of unity and love among us. Help us to listen to one another with respect and understanding as we seek to grow together in our knowledge of you. May our study be fruitful and lead us closer to you. Amen.
Prayer 7
Heavenly Father, your Word is a treasure beyond compare, more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. As we study together, may we delight in your Word and meditate on it day and night. Help us to hide your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against you. Amen.
Prayer 8
Lord Jesus, you are the Word made flesh, the living embodiment of truth and grace. As we study your written Word today, may we see you more clearly and follow you more faithfully. Help us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds as we grow in our understanding of who you are. Amen.
Prayer 9
Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of your Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Help us to walk in the light of your truth as we study together. May your Word dwell richly in us, teaching and guiding us in all wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer 10
Father, we also pray for our Bible teachers and leaders. Thank you for giving them gifts, especially the gifts of teaching and/or leading, in order to encourage, exhort, and equip believers. We pray that you would give them opportunities to be trained in the work to which You have called them.
Prayer For Bible Study Leader
Lord, we pray for our Bible study leader, [name], that they may be filled with wisdom and guidance as they lead us in our study of your word. We pray that you would give them the ability to lead us into a deeper understanding of who you are and how your word can help our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dear God,
I pray for the Bible study leader who is leading my group this week. May you bless them with good health, a clear mind and heart, and peace as we study together. Thank you for their leadership. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Eternal God,
Thank you for the gift of [bible study leader’s name]. Help him/her to be a good leader, one who inspires the group to be humble and teachable. Help him/her to be willing to learn from the wisdom of others. May he/she be a faithful steward over his/her time and resources. Teach him/her how to use biblical teaching methods that will help their Bible study participants grow in their knowledge of you and understanding of your Word.
We also pray for his/her family members, who are praying for him/her this week as well. Help them to trust you and know that they can count on your provision. May they see signs of your love and care in his/her life as he or she serves with us here at church.
We ask it in Christ’s name, amen
God, we thank you for the opportunity to study the word of God.
We pray that you would speak to us through this study, and that it would lead us closer to you.
We also pray for our leader, who is working hard to prepare this study. We ask that you would guide them in their preparations, and give them wisdom as they share their knowledge with others.
In Jesus’ name, amen
Dear Lord,
We come before you today to ask for your guidance and protection as we study the Bible together. We know that you are our source of knowledge and wisdom, and we want to learn as much as we can from you.
Please guide us as we study, so that we may understand what it means to love others and follow your example in our daily lives. Please help us to use this time wisely, so that our hearts will be opened up to receive what you have for us.
We pray for those who are leading this study time with us today, that they may feel your presence and guidance in everything they do. Help them to be firm but compassionate with those present, so that everyone will feel safe enough to share their thoughts without fear of being judged or criticized.
May these moments together bring us closer together in understanding each other’s lives better than ever before! In Jesus’ name, amen!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the opportunity to lead today’s Bible study. I pray that I am able to help our group grow closer to You, and that we are able to gain a deeper understanding of Your word. Help me to use this time wisely and well. Amen
Dear Lord,
We come before you today as a group of friends who have joined together to study the Bible. We are humbled by your Word and inspired by your grace. We pray that you would help us to be faithful in our study and to learn what it means to live in relationship with you.
Give us the wisdom to read Scripture thoughtfully and carefully, so that we might better understand what it says about you and your love for us. Grant us clarity of thought, so that we may better discern your will for our lives. Give us courage in our convictions, so that we may stand firm against those who would seek to lead us astray from the truth of Scripture. And give us patience with each other during this journey toward understanding God’s Word, so that we will see each other not as adversaries but as family members on a common path toward knowing Jesus Christ more fully.
And God… please help me not get too distracted by my phone during class…
Impactful, Purposeful Prayers for All Local Church Leaders
Being in leadership is a blessing from the Lord, but with that blessing comes an extra weight of responsibility that at times, asks much of a leader. Not only this, but leaders are charged with leading others towards Christ which means they need prayer to stay on track, to not become discouraged, and to hear the Lord speaking.
Leadership promotes attacks from the enemy and that is why this list has been created so that we can lift our brothers and sisters in leadership up in prayer.
Why Pray?
It’s easy to fall into a pattern of thinking that leaders are superhumans or super Christians, but in reality, they are human and face the same battles that laypeople do.
People who step into leadership roles set foot in positions of influence, guidance, and more responsibility, and because of this, they can face much opposition from the enemy as well as their own flesh. Not to mention the load of balancing family, ministry, and everything in between.
Prayer is our most powerful tool as Christians; not only is it our way of speaking with and connecting to our heavenly father, but it is the means by which mountains are moved and lives are changed.
Not only this, but scripture continuously instructs us to pray for one another as well as for those in authority, and this is found in both the Old and New Testaments.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
– 1 Timothy 1:1-4
So this is why we pray. Because the Bible instructs us to and because prayer is powerful and effective, it encourages and uplifts and helps people in impossible circumstances.
So now lets dive into some specific areas that can be prayed for.
1. Pray for Wisdom
In 1 Kings chapter 3, we read of King Solomon asking God for wisdom. He tells God that he is but a child and in need of wisdom to rule the people rightly and to distinguish between right and wrong.
Solomon recognized the need for wisdom to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord and to lead the people in righteousness.
…But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
– 1 Kings 3:7-9
Because of his faithful request for wisdom, God honored him tenfold, giving him more than he asked for, and his kingdom was established and at peace because of this.
Let’s take this principle and apply it to our church leaders, so that they will be given much wisdom and a discerning heart to distinguish between right and wrong. Pray that church leaders will be instructed by God on how to carry out their duties in a Godly manner, with wisdom and confidence.
2. Pray That Leaders do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good
As a leader, it can be easy to look at the outside of things and become weary by what seems to be a lack of progress. Building a ministry or working to grow people and the church is a process that can lead to burnout for many reasons.
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.
– Galatians 6:9-10
Pray that leaders would remember the original call from God so that they fix their eyes on God and His leading rather than all the things and situations going on around them. Pray that they will be refreshed by the Holy Spirit and that He would give them the strength to press on through the difficulty.
3. Pray for Humility
Since the beginning of time, humility has been an issue for people. Humans often struggle with an internal struggle of staying humble and when given a platform and a name on top of it, this increases the difficulty of remaining humble before the Lord.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humblywith your God.
– Micah 6:8
Pray for openness to what the Lord and others are saying; pray that leaders will be protected from the schemes of the enemy and that they will offer their hearts to God daily.
4. Pray for Unity and Love in Leader’s Families
Leadership is demanding and it’s easy to make it your first priority and forget your family. While it seems that it’s for a worthy and Godly cause, thus making it okay to give more time to ministry than family, this is actually not Biblical.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
– Psalm 128:3-4
your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
Pray that first, God and family would come before ministry. Pray that families grow in love and unity as they pursue the Lord together; pray that the leader and their spouse would be of one mind and would pursue God-fearing relationships with submission towards one another.
Pray for the children of leaders that they would see the love of God in their mother and fathers and would seek to know God personally for themselves.
5. Pray for Trust in God
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons I have learned from the Old Testament was through the life of David, who was a God-fearing king who led the people in and to righteousness and humility.
Through the course of David’s life, we see a pattern of Him waiting on the Lord and completely trusting in Him in times of absolute uncertainty and trial. When things seemed as though there was no possible solution or way out, He held true to the word and character of the Lord
Because of his trust in the Lord, David was counted a man after God’s own heart and blessed among the nations forever.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
– Proverbs 3:5-6
With that in mind, pray that leaders will receive a double portion of trust in the Lord. Pray that they would not become discouraged and turn to the right or to the left, but that they would be leaders who pray and wait upon the Lord in the darkest times imaginable.
Pray that they will be able to lead others into this same trust through the example of their own lives and that God will bless them richly in faith in Him.
6. Pray for Encouragement
Pray against discouragement in leaders. Everyone experiences discouragement or downheartedness, so it’s important that leaders are lifted up and encouraged by those around them, both in prayer and in words, as well as deeds.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
– Hebrews 10:24-25
Along with that, pray that God would use people within the body of Christ to encourage leaders, but not only what people encourage in passing, but they would seek out ways to encourage local church leaders.
Pray for creative ways of encouragement to be carried out and pray for encouragement that speaks directly to the leader’s heart.
7. Pray for Godly friendship and connection
If you feel as though you’re leading a cause or organization by yourself, it can become very lonely, whether married or not. It’s important that leaders have friends that they can connect with on a deep level.
We were created as relational beings for the purpose of worship and fellowship with God, and part of this is a relationship with people. It is crucial for everyone to have a good, godly connection.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Eccllesiastes 4:9-10
Pray that leaders would form friendships with people who they can connect deeply with and that will sharpen them and help them to grow. Pray also that their friendships would be God-centered and fun.
8. Pray for Boldness
Prayers for boldness is something that can and should always be prayed for as leading others can cause leaders to doubt or in some cases fear what people think and second guess what the Lord is speaking or leading.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:9
Pray that Leaders would have the hearts of lions, that they would speak truth and lead as the Lord leads them. Pray that fear would be far removed from them and that every doubt would be washed in the blood of Lamb.
Pray the church leaders would be filled with boldness to seek out opportunities that they would never normally seek.
9. Pray for Guidance and Direction From the Holy Spirit
Leaders are charged with the great responsibility of guiding and leading the people in a direction that leads to deeper walks with God. Along with this, they are the vision casters of the church which means they set forth the goals and things that they aim to achieve. This is a big task that requires the wisdom and guidance of God, not just our human intellect.
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
– Proverbs 11:14
Pray that leaders would be led by the Holy Spirit that they would know where He is leading and guiding leaders and the body. Pray that leaders would have wisdom to follow the path that God sets forth and that the path itself would be clear to them to follow.
10. Pray for Connection With Other Leaders and Ministries
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, you’ll find that God clearly brings people together and creates connections that glorify His name and this is one of my favorite aspects of the church. You can be in America in a small town yet have connections through a local church across the world in Mozambique, Nepal, or Malaysia. God just loves connecting and unifying the body of Christ.
These connections work as a partnership in furthering the Kingdom of God and reaching the lost for the glory of God and this is why we should pray that local leaders form connections with other ministries and leaders, whether they are Christians or not.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3-5
Pray that leaders would have divine appointments from God with others, just as God brought the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip together. Pray that there would be partnerships and connection between ministries across the world and also pray that God would provide connections with local government leaders and others in places of influence.
11. Pray for Growth
For anyone, there is a danger of getting comfortable at the place you have reached, but the Christian life is one of constant growth and going deeper with God.
Additionally, leaders can only lead to the depth they have in their own lives, so these are very important things for both leaders and laypeople.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God…
Hebrews 6:1
Pray for leaders to be taken deeper and deeper each day in their walks with the Lord. Pray that God would take them to new depths in Him and that they would be bold in asking difficult questions of the Lord.
Pray for growth in skills, talents, and leadership. That God would give them a supernatural understanding of leading others rightly and boldly.
12. Pray for the Love of God in Leaders Lives
Love is the very purpose the church does what the church does because God loves us so deeply, we are given identity and purpose and are commission to spread that love to the world.
Therefore we need to be diligent in pursuing and showing love for our leaders while also praying on behalf of them that they would understand the love of God on a deep, deep, level in their own lives.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Pray that leaders would be surrounded by the Love of God, that those who struggle with believing in God’s love for them would receive a revelation of God’s everlasting love. Pray that lies of rejection and condemnation would be shattered in the love of God.
Pray that leaders would grow in God’s love and would love their families as well as the church the way Jesus does.
13. Pray for Protection from Temptation
Temptation is something that every soul on the planet faces and since this is the case we need to earnestly pray that our leaders focus on other things apart from combatting temptation.
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.
– Luke 22:39-40
Pray that local leadership would recognize temptation and be empowered to combat it in the Holy Spirit. Pray that leaders would have the strength of Joseph to take drastic measures to avoid temptation.
Pray that God would give a supernatural grace for leaders, that they would be protected from the lusts of the flesh and able to easily from it and look to God instead.
Pray that instead of temptation, leaders would be filled with a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness.
14. Pray for Health
Health issues are a pretty straightforward prayer request, nobody should have to face sickness in the body. So pray over local leaders health.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2
Pray that leaders would be protected from both minor and major illness, pray instead that there would be lasting health in their bodies. Pray for energy and physical strength to enjoy activities of all kinds as well as to press on in ministry and carry out goals and tasks efficiently.
15. Pray for Unity
Unity seems to be a big topic in leadership and the church as a whole; when you have multiple people in a room with different methods of approaching tasks, issues, and goals, it can get messy fast.
Not only is there the human element but there is also the spiritual side to things. The enemy loves to stir people up against each other and cause dissension and disunity, this is why it is so important to lift leaders up in prayer that they do not fall into this trap.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Pray that leaders w0uld submit to one another in humility and that they would love each other well as 1 Corinthians 13 teaches. Pray that leaders would seek the Lord in their own personal time so that they have a heart of respect and humility to walk in unity.
Pray that leadership teams would be strong, tight-knit, and unified. That God would bring leaders together in love and friendship and respect.
16. Pray for Purity
Sexual sin in the church is no small issue, and the number of churchgoers that watch porn on a daily basis is staggering, and pastors and leaders are not exempt from this massive issue.
To put it into perspective, here are some statistics from Barna Group: 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search for porn.
No one is exempt from facing sexual sin, it has been an issue from almost the beginning of time and it is a serious issue in the eye of God and causes many leaders to stumble, therefore we should fervently seek the Lord for our leaders as well as our church concerning this issue.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God…
1 Thessalonians 4:3-6
Pray that leaders would seek out accountability in sexual purity, pray leaders would not shrink from speaking about sexual purity and that they would not be ashamed about it. For those who are stuck in sexual sin, pray for courage to confess and get help and counseling.
Pray that no stumbling blocks or temptations in sexual sin be placed in their paths and also pray that leaders would be vigilant and on guard against this issue.
17. Pray for Sincerity
Being in ministry can easily turn into a job like any good thing we consistently do. We can quickly become dead to the reason and we are doing what we do and work for wrong gain and all-around wrong reasoning.
And it should be noted that the society we live in here in the US is a deeply consumeristic one, and this has leaked into the church. This leads us to praying over those who face the temptation of desensitization and wrongful pursuit in ministry.
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:17
Pray that leaders would not sell out or turn their ministry into a means of gaining profit and filling pews. Pray that leaders would work hard to speak truth and nothing else.
Pray that consumerism would not lead those in leadership to close their mouths when they ought to speak or vice versa. Pray for sincerity in motives and actions, that leaders would not preach one thing while doing another. Pray that their steps would be guarded against this and that they would walk with authenticity before God and man.
18. Pray that God Would Bless Leaders
The last prayer on this list is one of blessing. Leaders work so diligently for the church’s benefit and thus deserve to be greatly blessed for their labor.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
2 orinthians 9:8-9
Pray that leaders have an abundance in all that they do, that whatever they ask would be given tenfold. Pray for financial provision and blessings and grace in all that they set their hands to do.