FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Prayer Opportunities
The Prayer Group that has been meeting on Mondays at noon has begun a new prayer opportunity. Actually, they are reviving a previous prayer opportunity offered here at First a number of years ago.
The group has placed “Prayer Baskets” in the narthex, the Lounge and the Social Hall. Each basket has small prayer cards nearby that people can write their prayer concerns/requests on and leave them in the basket. Each week before their meeting the group will collect the requests and bring them to their gathering to lift up any prayers and concerns that have been requested.
Remember prayers may be requested for any number of reasons, for those in need, for healing and wholeness, in celebration, for those we love, for those whom we may have difficulty with, for those who we know and those who we do not know. Please take a few minutes and leave a prayer request in the basket knowing that it will be lifted up to God who knows all of our needs and desires.
The Power of Prayer
The Lord God Almighty hears the prayers of His children. He commands us to pray, and He promises to listen when we do. “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.”
Psalm 18:6
According to the Bible, the power of prayer is, quite simply, the power of God, who hears and answers prayer. First Lutheran has a faithful group of members who support our Prayer Chain ministry. These members regularly offer intercessory prayers on behalf of others. They offer prayers for many needs – health and wholeness, comfort, joy, grieving; Prayer requests may be specific or general.
Specific requests may be made at any time to the Prayer Chain by calling Harriett Miller (288-2203) or the church office.
The weekly prayer meeting held Mondays at Noon has resumed. The group meets in the Social Hall, practicing social distancing, and masks can be worn if desired. Participants are asked to enter through the elevator and proceed directly to the Social Hall. Only visit the office floor if you have business to conduct.
We hold the congregation, our community, friends and family, our nation and the world in prayer.
Please consider joining us for a time of prayer. You may choose to come weekly or from time to time. All are welcome. If you are unable to come to the church at that time please consider praying with us from wherever you are at noon on Mondays. If interested you may speak with Harriett Miller.
Prayer Ventures for May 2025
1 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Praise God for Asian and Pacific Islander members, congregations and ministries of the ELCA, which represent a diversity of cultures, languages and traditions. Pray for the ministry of the Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the ELCA.
2 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Arkansas-Oklahoma, Metropolitan New York and Minneapolis Area synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
3 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northeastern Minnesota, Northwest Intermountain and Southwestern Texas synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
4 “[Peter] said to [Jesus], ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’” (John 21:17). Ask God to help us align our expressions of faith and love for God with how we respect, love and care for our neighbors in need and our siblings in Christ.
5 Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with the United Church of Christ, a full communion partner since 1997. Pray for the church, its members and its leaders, that together we will find strength and resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.
6 Pray that compassion and concern for the well-being of people and communities will guide leaders and governments to work diligently for peace, reconciliation, justice and mutual respect.
7 Sing praises and give thanks to God for being our strength in all circumstances and for attending to our need for help, renewal and encouragement.
8 Pray for Lutheran Disaster Response and its collaborations with other disaster relief organizations — domestic, international and ecumenical — to provide physical, emotional and spiritual care for people affected by disasters and to support them during short- and long-term recovery efforts.
9 “In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done” (WOV 760). Pray for the Spirit to give us a clear understanding of God’s will and ways, that our concern and love for our neighbors in need will not be hindered by bias, suspicion or judgement.
10 Remember in prayer students at universities, colleges and seminaries as they prepare for exams and graduation, that they will find comfort in times of stress, encouragement when they feel uncertain and renewed hope for what lies ahead of them in their vocational journeys.
11 Mother’s Day Pray for mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers and expectant mothers. Pray for women who struggle with parenting, who are trying to conceive or who cannot bear children of their own but serve as loving and faithful adults in the lives of children and youth.
12 Praise God for the boundless love and forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life that stirs hope, joy and gratitude in us. Pray for the Spirit to inspire and equip us to share this good news far and wide.
13 The ELCA walks with more than 80 companion churches around the world to participate in God’s work of service, reconciliation and proclaiming the gospel. Praise God for what we accomplish together and for the faith, hospitality, enthusiasm and wisdom of companion churches that energize our own leaders and congregations.
14 Give thanks for ELCA Campus Ministry and the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin), which serve students, faculty, staff and others on college and university campuses and which bear witness to God’s abundant grace through worship, study, fellowship, service and pastoral care.
15 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northern Great Lakes and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
16 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northwest Washington, Pacifica, Saint Paul Area and Southeast Michigan synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
17 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, Southeastern Iowa Synod and Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
18 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
19 Give thanks and pray for women from global companion churches who participate in the International Women Leaders program of our church. Ask God to nurture and enrich their leadership skills through seminars, south-to-south exchanges, in-country study programs and degree programs at ELCA colleges and universities.
20 “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!” (Psalm 148:1). Join with all creation to sing praises to God, who creates, loves and sustains all things — including a diverse and complex humankind.
21 Pray for the Spirit to stir our wisdom, skills, creativity and commitment so that we might work together to address the vexing problems of our society, including hunger, poverty, racism, gun violence, mental illness, inaccessible health care and inadequate care for older adults.
22 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the Rocky Mountain Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
23 Give thanks for the ELCA’s Lay Schools for Ministry program, which creates opportunities for lifelong learning that equip us for our baptismal vocations in this church and in the world.
24 Remember in prayer people who work in seasonal jobs, that communities of faith will welcome and support them and that employers will meet their needs for housing, food, fair wages and recognition. Pray that we might express our gratitude to and affirm those who work behind the scenes.
25 Give thanks and praise to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is always with us to teach us how to serve as compassionate and courageous disciples of Christ throughout our lives.
26 Memorial Day Remember, honor and give thanks for those in the armed forces who have given their lives for the sake of peace, justice and freedom. Remember the families and loved ones who supported their service, grieve their loss and carry forward their memory and legacy.
27 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us” (Psalm 67:1). Pray that all people and nations will know and give thanks for God’s boundless love, forgiveness and power to make all things new through Jesus Christ, even when we can’t envision the possibility.
28 Ask the Spirit to help us respond to the call to participate in God’s work in the world, no matter where it might lead, who we might encounter or what God might ask of us.
29 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Montana, North Carolina and Southeastern synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
30 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Delaware-Maryland, Greater Milwaukee, Metropolitan Chicago, Nebraska, New England, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, Southeastern Minnesota, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southwest California and Western North Dakota synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
31 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Upstate New York and West Virginia-Western Maryland synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.