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 April 2025
1 Pray for lasting peace between nations and for the healing of people who suffer conflict, war and violence, especially in Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Israel, Syria, Haiti, Myanmar and regions of Africa.
2 Arab American Heritage Month Give thanks for the contributions and impact of Arab Americans in every aspect of society, including religion, education, science, business, government and the arts. Ask God to bless and further the work of ELCA Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries and the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage.
3 “You have come down to the lakeshore seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy, but only asking for me to follow” (WOV 784). Praise God for seeking us out and, despite our imperfection, making us humble disciples, equipped and inspired by the Spirit.
4 Pray for church leaders, liturgists, scholars and scientists gathering to discuss including the Feast of Creation Day in liturgical calendars, an effort organized by the Roman Catholic Church in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation, World Council of Churches, World Methodist Council, Anglican Communion and World Communion of Reformed Churches. Ask the Spirit to guide their study and discussion of climate justice, the Nicene Creed, the role of the Holy Trinity in creation, and how Christians engage with the creation story.
5 Remember in prayer worship leaders and musicians participating in the ecumenical Music that Makes Community workshop in Waco, Texas, a day of building community through singing, learning and fellowship.
6 Pray for a spirit of humble generosity that recognizes and encourages the diverse gifts and contributions of our siblings in Christ, who give as they are able and are inspired by their gratitude towards and love for God.
7 Praise the Creator for the new life of an emerging spring, which inspires our joy, awe and hope.
8 There are about 390,000 people in foster care in our country, ranging from infants to young adults. Pray that these young people will experience love, understanding, security and encouragement in their foster families. Give thanks for foster parents and remember those young adults who, aging out of foster care, may face new uncertainties.
9 Seek God’s forgiveness and mercy for the times when we have hurt, offended or demeaned others, intentionally or unintentionally. Pray for the Spirit to grant us humility, penitent hearts and a compassion that stirs us to make amends and heal broken relationships.
10 Lift up in prayer farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers. Give thanks for their efforts to feed the world and care for creation, and pray for abundant harvests.
11 Give thanks that God is always doing something new in and through us, wonderful things that impact others when they witness Christ’s awesome love reflected in our lives as disciples.
12 Pray for youth in our congregations and communities, recognizing the challenges they face, celebrating the joys they experience and showing gratitude for what they add to our faith communities, which need the gifts of all generations to do God’s work in the world.
13 Palm Sunday Pray that we might accompany Jesus in his journey of persecution, suffering, death and resurrection, a journey of love and sacrifice for our sake.
14 Pledge to bear hope, grace and newness in Christ to our neighbors in need, especially those who are poor, hungry, sick, imprisoned, unemployed or plagued by war or domestic conflict.
15 Praise God for the strength we draw from Scripture, from our siblings in Christ, from living in community and from the tireless work of the ever-present Spirit.
16 Pray to the Lord for comfort, strength and renewed faith when you feel broken and worn-out.
17 Maunday Thursday Today we end our observation of Lent and shift our attention to what God has done for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, son of God and son of humankind. Give thanks for the gift of new life in Christ, a life wrapped in God’s boundless grace.
18 Good Friday “Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don’t look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything” (Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380). Pray for the Spirit to strengthen our faith so that, through us, God’s love and mercy might shine brightly in the world.
19 Ask the Spirit for a faith that is certain and resilient, even when we don’t fully understand or appreciate what God has done for humanity through Jesus Christ.
20 Easter Day Sing praise and thanksgiving to God! This is the day the Lord has made for us to gather as loved and forgiven children, celebrating our freedom from the bondage of sin and death.
21 When you reflect on who might need your presence, comfort and reassuring words of love and hope, who comes to mind? Include them in your prayers and reach out to them.
22 Give thanks and pray for directors for evangelical mission, who serve in partnership with ELCA churchwide ministries and synods, helping them to found “new start” ministries, renew congregations, nurture stewardship, and identify, develop and equip leaders for ministry.
23 Every day, Jesus walks with us, sharing good news and wisdom just as he did with Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus. Pray that the Spirit will help us express that good news and wisdom in our conversations with our neighbors.
24 “We are not fed by only doing one way of ministry. Instead it is about seeing the face of God in every person who walks through the door, about embracing the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their circumstances” (the Rev. Esther K. Sianipar, “Serving With Shobi’s Table: A Reflection,” shobistable.org). Pray for our neighbors who suffer hunger, lack reliable access to nutritious food and yearn for the support of caring communities, and thank God for our congregational, synodical and churchwide ministries that serve them without bias or judgment.
25 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Alaska Synod, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, 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.
26 Thank God for the spiritual nourishment we receive when we gather around the table to celebrate communion, and for the Triune God, who calls and equips us to do God’s work in the world.
27 Like the apostle Thomas, we all experience moments of doubt and disbelief. Pray that God will be patient and forgiving with us, rekindling our trust in a Spirit that helps us when our faith weakens.
28 Thank God for volunteers who respond to the needs of the church and society by sharing their time, gifts and passion. Pray that we will extend to people of all ages the invitation to serve God.
29 Pray for those who suffer the trauma of gun violence in their communities and elsewhere. Ask for wisdom in responding to our stricken neighbors, for guidance in working to ending gun violence and for fearless respect for human life — a precious gift from God, our creator.
30 Again, we rejoice and shout, “Hallelujah! The Lord, our savior, is risen!” The good news and power of Easter that we experience cannot be confined to a single calendar day.