Intercessory Prayers for the Church
The Church is not just a building—it is the people of God, scattered across nations but united by the blood of Jesus. In every generation, the Church faces both great opportunity and great opposition. It carries the light of truth into a world full of darkness. It carries the voice of hope into lands filled with despair. For this reason, it must be covered in prayer. Intercessory prayer is a way of standing in the gap on behalf of others—of lifting up the needs of the Church before a faithful God.
When we pray for the Church, we are not just asking for programs to succeed or crowds to grow—we are asking for hearts to be changed, lives to be restored, and the name of Jesus to be lifted high. We ask for courage to stand, love to overflow, and truth to remain unshaken. These intercessory prayers are crafted to help you lift up the Church with clarity, faith, and Scripture. Each prayer flows from a specific need the Church faces and calls on God to do what only He can do. May these prayers breathe strength, boldness, and revival into the body of Christ.
1. Prayer for Spiritual Awakening in the Church
Many churches have grown weary, distracted, or lukewarm. We ask God to wake His people from spiritual sleep and stir fresh fire.
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
—Ephesians 5:14
Lord, stir us again. Wake up every sleeping heart, every cold spirit, every distracted soul. Let the fire of Your Spirit fall afresh on Your people. Renew our passion for You and give us eyes to see the urgency of this hour. Let complacency be broken and zeal restored. We ask You to breathe new life into churches that have lost their voice. Revive dry bones and call them into action. May we rise as a people on fire for You.
2. Prayer for Unity in the Body
The Church cannot function in division. We need oneness of heart, purpose, and Spirit.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
—Ephesians 4:3
Father, we cry out for unity in Your house. Heal divisions caused by pride, politics, race, class, or doctrine. Let the love of Christ bind us together in truth. Teach us to honor each other, to listen with grace, and to walk in humility. May our unity be a witness to the world that Jesus is Lord. Join our hearts in one mission—to glorify You and make You known.
3. Prayer for Strong Leadership
Leaders are a gift to the Church, but they need grace, wisdom, and courage to lead well.
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
—Jeremiah 3:15
Lord, we lift up every pastor, teacher, and leader in Your Church. Strengthen them. Guard their hearts. Give them wisdom to lead with integrity and compassion. Let them not grow weary or discouraged. Protect them from temptation and burnout. May their lives reflect Jesus clearly, and may they lead Your people with boldness and love.
4. Prayer for the Youth in the Church
Young people are not just the future—they are a vital part of the Church today.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example… in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.”
—1 Timothy 4:12
Father, we pray for the youth in our churches. Protect their minds from lies and distractions. Plant in them a love for Your Word. Let them burn with passion for purity and truth. Raise up a generation that seeks You above fame or pleasure. Use them to lead their peers and to declare Your name boldly in their schools, streets, and homes.
5. Prayer for Revival in the Church
Revival begins when God’s people turn back to Him with all their hearts.
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
—Psalm 85:6
Lord, we ask for revival. Not a program, not a performance, but a true move of Your Spirit. Let hearts be broken, idols be crushed, and altars be rebuilt. Come and purify Your house. Let repentance sweep through our gatherings and hunger rise for holiness. Revive us, O God, and use us to awaken others.
6. Prayer for the Word to Bear Fruit
The Word of God must not just be heard—it must be lived and multiplied.
“But the one who hears the word and understands it, he indeed bears fruit.”
—Matthew 13:23
Father, let every message preached from Your Word fall on good ground. Prepare the soil of every heart. Let the Word take root, grow, and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Protect the seed from being stolen or choked by worries. Give us ears to hear and hearts to obey.
7. Prayer for Holiness in the Church
God’s people are called to be set apart, not to blend with the world.
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
—1 Peter 1:15
Lord, cleanse Your Church. Remove every hidden sin, compromise, and double life. Purify our speech, our motives, our actions. May we walk in the fear of the Lord and not in the fear of man. Let our lives reflect Your holiness—not out of pride, but out of love for You. Raise up a holy people.
8. Prayer for Love to Abound
Without love, everything else loses meaning. The Church must be known for love.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
—John 13:35
Jesus, teach us to love as You did. Let our love be sincere, patient, and without limits. Help us to bear with one another, forgive quickly, and serve joyfully. Heal the wounds that keep us distant. May our gatherings be filled with the warmth of true love. Let love lead every decision, every sermon, and every song.
9. Prayer for Evangelism and Boldness
The Church is called to reach the lost with the gospel of Christ.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
—Mark 16:15
Lord, stir our hearts to care for the lost. Let evangelism become a lifestyle, not a task. Give us boldness to speak Your name without shame. Open doors for conversations. Anoint our words and prepare hearts to receive truth. Use Your Church to reach cities, villages, and nations with the power of the gospel.
10. Prayer for Persecuted Believers
Many members of the Church around the world face suffering for their faith.
“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them.”
—Hebrews 13:3
Father, we lift up our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for Your name. Strengthen them. Comfort them. Give them courage to stand. Let them know they are not forgotten. Provide for their needs. Surround them with peace in the midst of trials. Let their faith inspire the world and bring glory to You.
SEE ALSO: Intercession Prayers For This Sunday
11. Prayer for Financial Provision in the Church
Many churches face financial strain, yet God promises to provide for every need.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 4:19
Jehovah Jireh, You are our provider. We bring before You every church struggling to meet needs—bills unpaid, ministries stalled, projects delayed. Open the windows of heaven and pour out provision. Raise up faithful stewards and generous givers. Teach us to handle money with wisdom and integrity. Let there be more than enough—not for show, but to serve, build, and bless. May financial burdens never choke spiritual growth, and may Your Church lack nothing.
12. Prayer for the Church to Be Salt and Light
God’s people are meant to influence culture—not be silent within it.
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
—Matthew 5:13–14
Lord, make us bold in the midst of darkness. Let us not hide or blend in but stand as salt that preserves and light that guides. Give us wisdom to speak truth with grace, and courage to stand when it’s not easy. Let our actions speak louder than our sermons. Help us to shine—not for applause, but for Your glory.
13. Prayer for Healing in the Church
Many believers carry wounds—physical, emotional, or spiritual. The Church must be a place of healing.
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
—Malachi 4:2
Great Healer, walk through Your Church with compassion. Touch the sick, the grieving, the depressed, the addicted, the brokenhearted. Let healing flow from Your presence. Restore health to bodies, peace to minds, and wholeness to souls. Teach us to care for one another and to carry each other’s burdens. Let testimonies of healing rise among Your people.
14. Prayer for the Church to Hunger for God’s Presence
Programs can never replace God’s presence. We must long for Him above all else.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.”
—Psalm 42:1
Father, stir up a deep hunger for You within Your Church. Let us be dissatisfied with empty routines. Let our worship go beyond music and our services go beyond schedules. Teach us to wait on You, to long for You, to seek You with all our hearts. Fill our gatherings with the weight of Your presence. Let us never grow cold or casual about You.
15. Prayer for Discernment in the Church
Not everything that sounds spiritual is from God. The Church needs discernment in this age of deception.
“Test everything; hold fast what is good.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:21
Holy Spirit, give us discerning hearts. Let us recognize what is true and what is false. Help us to test every teaching, every trend, every voice. Protect Your Church from deception, flattery, and manipulation. Raise up leaders with spiritual insight and members who love truth more than popularity. Let truth anchor us in these shaky times.
16. Prayer for Marriages and Families in the Church
Strong families make strong churches. We pray for marriages and homes to be built on Christ.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
—Psalm 127:1
Lord, bless every marriage and family in Your Church. Heal wounds, mend broken trust, and restore joy in the home. Strengthen husbands and wives to love sacrificially. Teach parents to lead with wisdom and children to honor with grace. Let peace dwell in every household. May our homes reflect Christ and be a light to the world.
17. Prayer for Missions and Church Planting
The Church is called to go—beyond its walls, beyond its comfort, and into the world.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
—Romans 10:15
Father, bless every mission field and every worker who carries the gospel. Provide resources, open doors, and prepare hearts to receive the message. Raise up more laborers, more churches, and more voices crying in the wilderness. Let the unreached hear, and let the nations rejoice. Use Your Church to fill the earth with Your glory.
18. Prayer for Deliverance from Spiritual Attacks
The Church is in constant battle against spiritual forces. We pray for victory and protection.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”
—Isaiah 54:17
Mighty God, we stand against every attack of the enemy upon Your Church—division, discouragement, temptation, confusion, and fear. Break every chain. Expose every hidden plan of darkness. Let the power of the blood of Jesus cover every leader, member, and gathering. Teach us to fight with prayer, worship, and the Word. The gates of hell will not prevail.
19. Prayer for Wisdom in Difficult Times
The Church often faces hard choices. We need divine wisdom to navigate them well.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him.”
—James 1:5
Lord, we ask for Your wisdom—pure, peaceable, and full of good fruit. Help leaders make decisions that reflect Your heart. Help members discern how to live faithfully in a shifting world. Let Your Spirit guide us in every matter. Teach us to wait on You and not lean on our understanding. Lead us by the hand.
20. Prayer for a Spirit of Humility
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The Church must walk in humility.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
—James 4:10
Gracious Lord, forgive us where we’ve walked in pride. Where we’ve chased popularity over purity. Where we’ve built platforms instead of altars. Clothe us in humility. Let us serve, not to be seen, but to honor You. Remind us that we are nothing without You. Help us walk low, that Christ may be lifted high.
21. Prayer for Sound Doctrine
The Church must be grounded in truth, not opinion or emotion.
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage.”
—2 Timothy 4:2
Lord, protect Your Church from watered-down truth. Let every sermon, study, and song be anchored in Scripture. Raise up teachers who rightly divide the Word. Let Your Word convict, transform, and strengthen. May we not chase trends, but treasure truth. Let the Bible remain the foundation of everything we do.
22. Prayer for the Church to Be a Refuge
The Church should be a safe place for the hurting, not a stage for judgment.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28
Lord, make Your Church a home for the broken. Let the lonely find family, the grieving find comfort, and the guilty find grace. May every visitor feel love before they hear a word. Teach us to welcome, not judge. Let kindness and compassion fill our gatherings. Let us reflect the heart of Jesus.
23. Prayer for the Church to Be Faithful Until the End
In all things, the Church must endure and remain faithful until Jesus returns.
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
—Revelation 2:10
Lord, help Your Church to endure. When the world grows darker, let us shine brighter. When pressure increases, let our faith not fail. Let us not be swayed by culture or circumstance. Strengthen us to stand until the end—with hearts loyal to You and eyes fixed on eternity. Help us remain faithful.
24. Prayer for the Church to Multiply Disciples
The Church’s mission is not just to gather crowds but to make true disciples.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
—Matthew 28:19–20
Lord, help us to disciple well. Let every new believer grow in truth. Let maturity be our goal, not just attendance. Raise up disciplers—mentors, teachers, and shepherds. Help us walk together in faith, bearing one another’s burdens. May Your Church multiply—not just in number, but in depth.
25. Prayer for the Glory of God in the Church
Above all else, the Church exists to glorify God.
“To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
—Ephesians 3:21
Father, let Your glory rest upon Your Church. Let it be known not for style, size, or sound—but for Your presence. Let every act of service, every prayer, every song, every message lift You up. Fill Your house with the weight of Your glory. Let Your name be hallowed in our midst. Let all we do reflect You.
Conclusion
Interceding for the Church is more than a duty—it is an act of love, obedience, and spiritual warfare. Every time we lift up the Church in sincere, faith-filled prayer, we are participating in the very heart of Christ, who “ever lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25). These intercessory prayers are rooted in that same divine purpose: to see the bride of Christ strengthened, purified, and empowered for the mission set before her.
The Church is facing many challenges today: divisions, distractions, moral compromise, spiritual fatigue, persecution, cultural opposition, and doctrinal confusion. Yet none of these are new to God. Throughout history, His people have endured much—and through prayer, they have overcome. Prayer is not just a support for the Church—it is the foundation that holds it together. Without the prayers of the saints, the Church would be vulnerable to every attack of the enemy. But when the people of God come together and cry out with one heart, heaven moves.
When you pray these prayers, do not do it out of routine or pressure. Let them come from your spirit, from a place of real concern and holy expectation. Pray believing that revival is possible. Pray knowing that God desires to pour out His Spirit again. Pray with tears if necessary, because every tear for the Church is precious to God. Let these words become part of your daily warfare, your private worship, and your public gatherings. Let them not only echo through your mouth but live inside your actions.
The Church is not perfect, but she is beloved. She is flawed, but she is chosen. She is broken in places, but God is rebuilding her with every prayer, every act of obedience, every faithful servant that stands in the gap. As you continue to intercede for the Church, do not grow weary. Your prayers may not be seen by the world, but they are powerful in the spirit. They are planting seeds of revival, unity, healing, and strength that will bear fruit in time.
Remember: churches grow not just by sermons or strategies—but by prayer. Ministries thrive not just by funding or fame—but by intercession. Leaders endure not just by training—but by spiritual covering. And souls are saved not just by outreach—but by those who prayed in secret for the harvest to come.
So keep standing in the gap. Keep pressing in. Keep weeping between the porch and the altar. Heaven hears you. And the Church needs you.
These intercessory prayers are only the beginning. Let the Spirit guide you deeper, wider, and higher in prayer for the body of Christ until His kingdom comes and His will is done—on earth as it is in heaven.
