16 November 2025 Prayer for the Pastor + Deacon + Chaplain

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God of all that is good and holy, fill me with your mercy, your grace. Let it push out all the other stuff that can clutter my heart and make me take shallow, unthinking breaths. Scaredy cat breathing. But it’s you that gives me breath to speak and sing and, you know, live. Thank you for that. Help me to say thank you for all of it today – the nagging parishioner, the unread emails, the unwashed dishes, the unfinished sermon! Thank you, God, for how your life is in all of those things calling me so far beyond them and into new life. Because sometimes new life is found through the mundane tasks and the necessary conversations and the herculean attempt at showing love when I’d simply rather not. You start with me and my heart, and for that I am so very grateful. Work your Holy Spirit on me today, God. I know I tremble a little bit in praying for that, because boy howdy are you creative and unpredictable. But you never act without love, without faithfulness. And it’s for me. For me.

So multiply this love you give to me so that it flows with your ease into my family – those who are easy to love and those are not. You’ve given us to each other to love, so connect us anew today. And for my friends and for my colleagues in ministry. Especially my CGP colleagues who know your love and also step into pulpits and behind altars today to proclaim the myeteries of faith out loud in front of everyone.

I pray for those CGP-ers who know grief, Becca Krogstad (Bethany, Moran and St. Matthews, Evan), as she grieves the recent death of her mom. And for Scott Richards (Gaylord), grieving the death of his dad.

I pray for CGP-ers who are in need of your healing,

Dale Degner (Trinity, Benson), how about cure for this darn cancer?

Ben Hilding (Gustavus, St. Peter), for deep breaths, solid and swift steps, and for a cancer cure.

Nissa Peterson (Chatfield Lutheran & Root Prairie), as she and her family ride the rollercoaster of changing and declining health for her Grandpa Roger

And I pray prayers of joy and delight in the marriage of CGP-er David Nelson. (United Bethlehem Parish- Atwater/Lake Lillian)

For all those who are in need of your love, your healing, your mercy and grace, God. Thank you for your love. I love you. Amen.

Oh dear Child of God! Don’t lose heart. Don’t be afraid – God is with you.

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.