This six-month, congregational prayer calendar acts as a guide to help you intentionally pray for your church leaders and congregation during the pastor search process.
Month one: true needs of the congregation
This month, your pastor search committee will be creating a timeline and a pastoral profile for your church’s ideal candidates based on the church’s ministry needs, vision, mission, and values.
Pray that the true needs of the congregation will come to surface as the church staff and committee seek the Lord about what is next for your church. Pray that no personal agenda would surface but only the will of the Lord as the search committee and staff seeks what He has next for the congregation.
Ephesians 1:22-23 “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Month two: clarity on job description
This month, your pastor search committee will be writing the job description for the pastor profile based on the needs of your church.
Pray that the pastor search committee will have clarity as to the characteristics, goals, and key result areas that should be included in the job description for the church’s next pastor. Pray that the committee would not settle for too little or aim too high, making the job description unreasonable or unattainable. Pray that the committee would agree upon the background and experience needed in the next pastor.
1 Timothy 3:1-2 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…”
Month three: hearing God’s voice
This month, your pastor search committee will begin receiving and evaluating applications from candidates.
Pray that the committee would hear God’s voice with clarity and feel peace as they discern whom they should interview. Pray that as they read applications, listen to sermon samples, and talk with candidates, they place the church’s needs and desires before their own.
John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and they know me.”
Month four: asking the right questions
This month, your pastor search committee will begin interviewing candidates with the most promise to be your next pastor.
Pray that the pastor search committee will know the right questions to ask as they represent the church through the interview process. Pray that they would represent the church accurately and attractively. Pray that they would have clarity as they interview candidates, eliminate candidates, and move forward with candidates throughout the interview process.
Matthew 5: 16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Month five: peace for the future pastor’s family
This month, the pastor search committee has likely narrowed the pool of candidates down to a few finalists and is praying over whom God has called to lead your church. This might mean that the committee has a finalist who is currently in view of a call.
Pray that the future pastor, the spouse, and family would feel the same peace and excitement that the pastor search committee feels about the candidate. Pray that the candidate and their family will have clarity during their visits with the church and know whether or not this is the next step in ministry to which God has called them.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Month six: peace for the congregation
This month, the pastor search committee will likely be submitting an offer to your church’s next pastor.
Pray that the entire congregation would feel a sense of peace and confirmation as the pastor is confirmed through congregational meetings and/or a congregational voting process. Pray that there is unity among the search committee, church staff, and congregation. Pray that no one person would have an agenda that would cause a distraction or deterrent from God’s work throughout the pastor search process. Pray that the new pastor and their family have a smooth transition into their new church and community.
Colossians 3:14 “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.”
