11 January 2026 – Prayer for the Pastor + Deacon + Chaplain

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Is there where it starts, God? Is this how it starts? With my grief and sadness and anger and frustration? Is this the beginning of your ministry among us, with me? I know, you’ve given me the whole range of human emotions to feel in my life so I know I am alive. And. And they are not in charge of me, these emotions. So help me to re-start today remembering that you announced your pleasure with Jesus to communicate the very same thing to me and to this wild, mad world. You are very pleased with me and this is who I am – this is how I am shaped, by your pleasure with me. By the life you give me. By how you form and change me according to your will and not mine. According to your love and mercy and not the relentless news cycle. So fill me with your love, your mercy, your grace. Help those things to break into my downward spiral of lament and anger and despair. And out of that spiral kick up my hope. Kick up my hope that comes from you. Your hope that is made of divine grit and tender mercy. Your hope that sustains me. Your hope that doesn’t promise a happy Hollywood ending but instead promises new life. Oh dear God, help my unbelief. And stir me up to act of your love even when I don’t know what I am doing. Give me eyes to see you in my people today. Dissolve the political masks that threaten to consume our identities and instead clothe my people, clothe me with your justice and mercy. Your identity. Embolden me to preach your Good News that is so disruptive and  comforting. Only you can bring life out of death, so help me die today to things that will get in the way of Your Good News. Help me die to my own fear.

Hold my family and friends close. Remind me to actually do that – to hold them close when we are in the same room. And for those who are far from me, help me to remember to hold them in thought and prayer and love.

And I pray for my colleagues across the church who will follow their holy calls into pulpits and behind altars and into robes and out into the hallways and into the world today to proclaim your power, your might, your glory. Give them your inspired and faithful words and your holy silence.

I especially pray for my CGP colleagues who, in addition to our Minnesota world falling apart, are bearing the weight of other things as well. It can all be just too much, God, so I pray for them, that they may know they are not alone, that my prayer will help them know I am near to them:

Deborah Lyanga (Good Shepherd, Wells) for safe travels to Tanzania as she goes to her father’s bedside. And for a safe, merciful homecoming when the time comes.

Krista Strum (Hosanna, Rochester) as she grieves the death of her dad, Maurice.

Gretchen Pierskalla (Zion, Arlington) as she grieves the death of her sister Marlene.

Kristi Mitchell (Redeemer, Alden, Concordia, Pickeral Lake), as she grieves the death of her husband Bill.

Drew Yackel (Our Savior’s, Faribault), who had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon– for his healing, and for patience.

Dale Degner (Trinity, Benson), as the chemo schedule takes hold as well as side effects. Bring him your comfort and joy.

Ben Hilding (Gustavus, St. Peter), as 6 weeks of radiation has begun.

Nissa Peterson (Chatfield Lutheran & Root Prairie), as she and her family accompany Grandpa Roger in hospice care.

Peg Marose (Good Hope Parish, Thompson, IA · Kiester, MN · Bricelyn, MN), for rest and rejuvenation.

Becca Krogstad (Bethany, Moran and St. Matthews, Evan), as she grieves the recent death of her mom.

Scott Richards (St. Paul’s and Trinity, Gaylord), grieving the death of his dad.

God, this calling can be so lonely and frightening. I know you know this. Help me to cling to the promise of your hope today, so that I can know it my very being and speak it faithfully to my people. I believe, help my unbelief. Amen.

Ok dear colleagues and friends. Do not despair, don’t be afraid, do not lose heart or hope – God is with you. And your work in the Lord Jesus Christ is not in vain.

If you have a prayer request for the CGP prayers, please email Laura at: aase@gustavus.edu. It can be as specific or as vague as you request. Don’t be shy – being prayed for is so powerful. Especially by other pastors, deacons, and chaplains.