Prayers for the Week
Ministry Sites in the Synod
For Pastor Emily Ronsberg, Pastor Marvin Jonasen, and Deacon Jennie Norberg
Sustain Pastor Emily, Pastor Marvin, and Deacon Jennie in their chaplaincy with Emplify Health; grant them compassionate hearts and words of comfort for all in their care. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.For Pastor Mark Carr
Bless Pastor Mark in his ministry as a chaplain at Mayo Health, using him as an instrument of your peace, healing, and hope for patients and staff alike. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
For Pastor Linda McPeak
Uphold Pastor Linda in her service at Bethel Homes, filling her with patience and grace as she brings your presence to the residents and families there. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
Prayer Requests from the Synod
For Synod Assembly
We sing: We turn our lives to the wholeness of the earth, can you feel it spinning in you? (ACS #1067, text and music by Bret Hesla)
We pray, using the challenge of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 58:
Lord, we hear your challenge to us, spinning in our spirits:
We fast and perform spiritual practices for the wrong reasons, without true intention to follow through and follow you.
But You promise us this:
If we remove the yoke from among us, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if we offer our food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then our light shall rise in the darkness, and our gloom will fade away as noonday.
We have a wondrous calling: to be repairers of the breach, the restorers of streets to live in.
The power of your Spirit will spin in us, so that we take delight in you, Lord,
and you will make us ride upon the heights of the earth, with a glorious heritage of the faithful people of the past.
Your mouth, O Lord, has spoken. Amen.
For Pastor Paul Drees
We give thanks for the ministry of Pastor Paul Drees as he marked his final Sunday on May 17 in parish ministry. Grant him peace in this time of transition, and bless both him and the people he served as they step into new chapters as a public theologian. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
Emerging Leaders
For Pastor Phil Waselik on Sabbatical
We pray for Pastor Phil Waselik as he takes sabbatical leave. May this be a season of deep peace, spiritual growth, and physical rejuvenation under your watchful care. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For Pastor Luci Sesvold on Sabbatical
Grant Pastor Luci Sesvold a time of profound rest and holy restoration during this sabbatical. Refresh her spirit, protect her time away, and return her to ministry with renewed joy.
Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For seminarian Amy Jo Van Arsdahl
Bless seminarian Amy Jo Van Arsdahl in her studies and formation. Grant her wisdom, endurance, and a clear sense of your calling as she prepares to serve your church. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.For Pastor Emily Ronsberg
God, we thank you for Pastor Emily Ronsberg, the newest pastor in the La Crosse Area Synod. Bless the work of Pastor Emily as a chaplain at Emplify Health. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
Local Ministry Partners
Interfaith Leaders Coalition
Holy One, you call us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Embolden the Interfaith Leaders Coalition of greater La Crosse as they stand together for justice and equity in the La Crosse area. Keep their collaborative spirit vibrant, and help us work alongside them to build a community where everyone thrives. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
Lutheran Social Services
Merciful God, you call us to care for one another. Bless the hands and hearts at Lutheran Social Services as they walk alongside the vulnerable and lonely. Let their compassion be a tangible reminder of your fierce and unwavering love for the world. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For Sugar Creek Bible Camp
Joyful God, bless the sacred grounds of Sugar Creek as another summer approaches. Guard and guide the staff during their days of training, giving them wisdom, stamina, and a deep sense of purpose as they prepare to share your Good News around the campfire and under the trees. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For Luther Park Bible Camp
Creator God, we ask your blessing upon Luther Park Bible Camp. In the beauty of your creation along the shores of Prairie Lake and Birchwood, open the hearts of all campers and staff to hear your voice, experience your unconditional love, and return home renewed for service. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
Wider Church Partners in Ministry
For Our Domestic Partner the Southeastern Synod
God of renewal, we pray for our domestic partners in the Southeastern Synod and Bishop Kevin Strickland as they gather for their assembly from May 28–30. Meet them powerfully under their theme, "Revive Us God"—breathe new life into their ministries, ignite their hearts with your Holy Spirit, and bless their time of fellowship and discernment. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For the Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Guide the leaders and congregations of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, that they may be strengthened in faith and united in your love as they serve their communities. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
For the Southwestern Texas Synod
Pour out your blessings upon the Southwestern Texas Synod, granting them wisdom, courage, and joy as they witness to your grace across their region. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
For the Wisconsin Council of Churches
God of Justice, we thank you for the vital ministry of the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Empower them to be a courageous voice for the vulnerable, and use their ecumenical partnership to mend division and cultivate healing communities across our state. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
For Our Companion Synods
God of the whole human family, we give you thanks for our companion synods in the Iglesia Luterana del Peru and the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. Break down the distances between us, and weave our lives together in a shared witness to your boundless love. Lord, in your mercy… receive our prayer.
