23 November 2025 Prayer for the Pastor + Chaplain + Deacon

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Joyful God, let me in on the joke, would you? The cross is foolishness and so often I find myself banging my head against it or worse, wielding it as a weapon against others. Take me to the foot of your cross and hold me in your arms. It is the only place I’m truly found. It’s where my voice becomes the clearest because you and the foolishness of the cross find life in me there. New life. It’s where I can laugh and cry at the same time. It’s where I know your truth for my life and the life of the world. I find my footing there, even though I’m flat on my face. It’s where you snap me back into myself with startling joy and hope. You make me- me. Because you are you. Thank you for saving me from my efforts to think myself into your love. There’s no joke there. Thank you for saving me from thinking I can save myself, or my family and friends, or the people I’m called to serve. That’s the opposite of a joke. You, God, only you can get me out of my head and back into the world you so love. So send me into it laughing – letting me in on the joke even for a few minutes. Locate me in the midst of your people with your words of life from death, peace from suffering, hope out of hopelessness. Laughter out of my density and not getting the okel You good news makes no sense and it is the reason I get out of bed and show up on a Sunday morning. Oh thank you for making me who I am.

Bring laughter and joy to my family today. Help me to join in that joyful sound with them. And for my colleagues – fill them with your joy and hope no matter their situation. Remind them that they, too, are included in this grand mystery, this long form joke of your love for a world gone mad. Because it’s just who you are.

Especially as Thanksgiving approaches, I pray for those who are in fresh 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), and the moving target of his cancer. Bring him even a moment of peace, get him out of his head as he waits for what’s next in treatment.

Ben Hilding (Gustavus, St. Peter), for strengthened immunity and for your wisdom and strength he heads back to work soon.

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

Thank you, God, for your faithfulness. It can look so weak in this world. So spur on my laughter as I rejoice in the promise you make in the cross and the Crucified Christ. Amen.

Ok dear friends – breathe in – breathe out! Give even the smallest smile to yourself. Don’t lose heart. Don’t be afraid – God is with you.

Be let in on the joke! The joy! Since it’s Christ the King Sunday – enjoy the annual viewing of Stephen Colbert’s “The King of Glory” song and dance! https://youtu.be/oASYa-Wkroc?si=40ktcWqLYXVaBHzE

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.