3 November 2025 Prayer for the Chaplain + Pastor + Deacon

2 November 2025 – All Saints Sunday

God, you are not either/or about me. You seem to be, from how my life has played out so far, all about the messy middle, the muddled grey, the both/and.  And, (wait for it) the simultaneousness of it all. Yes, I waste time all the time. And I continue to make all the effort. And none of those things and all the other things I could tell you about (that you already know!) they don’t stand on their own. They are always and forever clumsily paired together. Even after a day of successes and stars on my crown, I know that another terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day is on the horizon. Or the shadow of all the stars on my crown. Not because you plan for my days of woe and my days of joy. It’s just that in the reality of you, God, they both just are. And in the midst of all of that, you promise that  I am not forgotten or left out or left behind. All of my life, the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, are swept up in your reality of love that never ever stops. Oh what a gift it is. And for me to remember that it is for me.

I have sinner/saints in my life that I will light a candle for or call by name in prayer or remember with the chime of a bell or a silent amen today. Leading in these thin spaces is such a privilege and it can be so hard, too. So be with me in my own sadness, grief, and longing as I point to your grace and love for my community and for the world. Remind me that I too, my life and loved ones, are included in this ritual of remembering. You never forget.

I pray for my dear ones today – my family. Those who have died and those who live and breathe in my life near and far. Stir up our love for each other. I am grateful that even with those who have died, my relationship with them and love for them and them for me continues to grow.

And I pray for my leader of faith colleagues around the world, in our nation, and in Minnesota. Especially today I pray for my CGP-er friends and colleagues:

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

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

Dale Degner (Trinity, Benson), for healing as he navigates the unrelenting schedule of cancer

Ben Hilding (Gustavus, St. Peter), for healing from surgery and for a cancer cure.

You weep when I weep, and you kick up your heels in celebration with me. You are always with me. Thank you, thank you, thank 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.