Pastor Lars Hammar writes: Open Space Church is grieving the first death of one of our members, Kyle May, 30 years old. He died mid-July in his home town of New Jersey while there to attend his brother’s funeral. Kyle had a joyous and free-wheeling spirit about him, and his loss has been full of grief for the community at Open Space. Your prayers are appreciated.
Read MoreDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Young Adults in Global Mission program will not be sending out volunteers this year. Give thanks for young adults who have volunteered for global service over the years, and pray that the Spirit will guide the Young Adults in Global Mission program as it prepares to continue its work and ministry alongside our global companions.
Read MorePray that we will not be too inhibited to wrestle with God and God’s Word, or to have candid conversations with God, and that the Spirit will deepen our trust in God’s love, concern, forgiveness and patience with us.
Read MoreGive thanks for artists and craftspeople who share their creative gifts and perspectives, arousing our joy,
wonder, reflection and appreciation of life.
Pray that the story of Jesus feeding the hungry crowd will inspire us to be compassionate and generous,
and that, individually and together, we will be able and equipped to respond to the needs of our neighbor.
Pray for open hearts and minds, that we might reflect prayerfully on our church, society, institutions, laws, traditions and selves, seeking meaningful change and reform to combat racism and white supremacy wherever they exist, perpetuate injustice or influence us.
Read MoreThese petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.
Read MoreLift up in prayer our neighbors who are unemployed or underemployed and seek safe, meaningful work that will help them develop self-sufficiency and confidence and meet the needs of the people for whom they provide care, assistance and support.
Read MoreGive thanks for the special gifts, skills and minds of scientists, researchers and explorers who strive to better understand creation, improve the human condition, solve complex problems that cause us suffering, and restore and steward creation with a long view of sustaining future generations. Pray that they will make wise, responsible and just use of their research and discoveries for the well-being of all people and our planet.
Read MorePraise God for the joy and reassurance of knowing that there is nothing ― absolutely nothing ― that can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ.
Read MoreWhat gives you cause for happiness and hope these days? Give thanks and praise to God for desiring joy,
healing, renewed life and freedom for us and all humanity.
Pray that we will continue turning to and prayerfully studying Scripture ― individually and together. Pray that doing so will strengthen and deepen our faith, comfort and encourage us, guide us in loving our neighbor, and be a source of joy and thanksgiving.
Read MoreHow do you envision and understand the kingdom of heaven? Pray that we might stay well-rooted in Scripture and the teachings of Christ to better understand the kingdom of heaven, and to be cautious in embracing
cultural myths, traditions handed down and false promises about the kingdom of God.
Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathered for the South Carolina Synod Assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.
Read MorePray that we will be filled with and led by the Spirit so that our actions, words and faith reveal who we are ― children of God, followers of Christ.
Read MorePray for our ELCA colleges, universities and seminaries and their faculties, staff and students as they work to adapt to and overcome the disruptions and difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray that faculty and staff will find effective ways of caring for students, continuing educational experiences both in person and from a distance, enriching faith and helping students discern and prepare for their vocations.
Read MorePray that, like God, we might be “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Read MoreWe are church together, many members of the one body of Christ. Pray that the Spirit will unite us in our commitment to condemn sexism, anti-Semitism, white supremacy and racism against indigenous people and people of color, whenever and wherever these sins occur.
Read MoreGive thanks for rostered ministers in our church who are active in call, on leave from call, awaiting call or retired. Praise God for their faith, gifts, caring leadership, example and sacrifices in response to God’s call to a life of ministry and service.
Read MoreIt is a painful, nagging reality that there are both good and evil in the world. Pray that the Spirit will renew our faith, trust and patience that God’s righteousness, judgment and mercy will reign when the end of time comes.
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