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In Our Prayers…
St. Mark's Members: Julie A., Stephanie C., Rebekah D., the family of Melanie H., Terry, L. John M., Shirley M., Kirk M., Myra M., Denise M. and family, Debra M., Carl R., Barbara T., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, the NC Synod, the ELCA.
Extended Family & Friends: Dom C., Fred D., Bill H., Phyllis H., Stone Ty O., Debbie S. O., Andy S., Lucia S., Mike S.
The Greater Community: Robeson Community College, Robeson Church and Community Center, Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry, UNC-Pembroke, Wesley Pines, GlenFlora, Lutheran Services of the Carolinas, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA camps including Lutheridge, Lutherock, and Camp Agape, military families, law enforcement and first responder personnel, those who suffer with addiction and those who minister to them, missing and murdered indigenous women and those who search for them, indigenous children harmed in government boarding schools, victims of human trafficking in North Carolina and the world, anyone impacted by natural disasters, including wildfires, and anyone facing housing or food insecurity.
Daily Prayer Ventures
June 2025
These petitions are offered as guides to daily 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.
1 Pray that our words and actions will glorify God and reflect the immeasurable, unprejudiced grace God has shown humankind through the gift of Jesus Christ.
2 Pride Month Give thanks to God for the gifts, wisdom, leadership and faith of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and siblings in Christ. Ask the Spirit to embolden us as we work together for justice, total inclusion and love for humanity in all its diversity.
3 Remember in prayer ELCA outdoor ministries across the country as they equip young adults to lead summer camp programs for people of all ages and abilities, encouraging spiritual growth, developing life skills and fostering relationships in Christ-centered communities.
4 Give thanks for the beauty, bounty and awe-inspiring complexity of nature — a gift from God that nourishes all of us. Promise to exercise wisdom and responsibility in using, protecting, sharing and restoring creation.
5 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Central/Southern Illinois, Central States, Indiana-Kentucky, Lower Susquehanna and New Jersey 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.
6 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the La Crosse Area; Metropolitan Washington, D.C.; Northeastern Iowa; Southern Ohio; and Southwestern Minnesota 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.
7 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin and Eastern North Dakota 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.
8 Day of Pentecost “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). We are never alone or forgotten. Give thanks to God that we have received the gift of the Spirit, who accompanies us throughout our baptismal journey.
9 Pray for summer ministries that serve congregations and their surrounding communities by sharing the gospel, stirring faith, providing day care and serving neighbors in need.
10 Ask God to help us nurture a new generation of leaders for our church, our communities and our nation — people of faith, wisdom, compassion, creativity and courage.
11 Pray for our neighbors and siblings in Christ who languish in jails, prisons, correctional facilities or immigration detention centers, that the Spirit will inspire their faith and hope and that they might access skilled legal, physical, spiritual and emotional care.
12 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Florida-Bahamas, Grand Canyon and South Carolina 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.
13 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northern Illinois, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Southwestern Washington, Upper Susquehanna, Virginia and Western Iowa 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.
14 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the Sierra Pacific 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.
15 The Holy Trinity “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Pray that our faith in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s unwavering love and forgiveness, will strengthen our confidence in both the reality and the mystery of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
16 For Father's Day (June 15), remember in prayer biological fathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers and foster fathers, that they will treasure the joys of fatherhood and find support and wise counsel for the challenges of parenting, passing along their faith, teaching compassion and respect, and encouraging and guiding their children.
17 Pray that in times of uncertainty and anxiety, we will find comfort and strength in God’s steadfast love and that, from this foundation, we will confidently and courageously bear God’s peace, justice and reconciliation into the world.
18 Amid conflict and war, pray for national leaders, diplomats and other representatives whose negotiations might bring ceasefires and lasting peace. Ask the Spirit to guide their deliberations and stir their humility, respect, compassion and mercy.
19 Juneteenth This day of celebration, dating back to June 19, 1865, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Give thanks and praise to God for creating humankind in all its diversity, and ask God’s forgiveness for yielding to fear, suspicion and intolerance of others. Ask God to guide and strengthen our work of including all people in the church and society.
20 World Refugee Day On this day, we honor the courage and resilience of refugees and immigrants, and work to build empathy and support for people who have fled their home countries because of conflict, natural disaster or economic crisis. Give thanks that we can respond together through AMMPARO Migrant Ministry, ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, Global Refuge and Lutheran social service organizations.
21 Lift up prayers of joy and thanksgiving for the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere (June 20). Give thanks for longer days, growing crops and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors — gifts from God that awaken our senses and lift our spirits.
22 Pray for high school youth attending the Lutheran Summer Music program at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind., that their musical gifts will be nurtured and encouraged in a welcoming faith community of youth from across the country.
23 Give thanks for community resilience, support and justice grants, which our church awards to programs and projects, in the United States and around the world, that focus on global mission, social justice and humanitarian assistance in vulnerable communities.
24 Give thanks for the relief work we do together through Lutheran Disaster Response, and remember in prayer those impacted by disasters and severe weather as they rebuild their lives and communities. Pray that we will be generous with our prayers, encouragement, volunteer assistance and financial support until they recover — physically, spiritually and emotionally.
25 Pray for Seafarers International House in New York City, a mission affiliated with the ELCA that has served mariners and immigrants since 1873. Remember in prayer seafarers who work under difficult and dangerous conditions and are isolated from family, friends and faith communities for long periods.
26 Give thanks that God teaches us love, mercy and radical hospitality through the example of Jesus, the wisdom of Scripture and the encouragement of our siblings in Christ.
27 Pray for synods, newly elected bishops and leaders, and mission endeavors initiated during assemblies, that they will be effective and fruitful in spreading the gospel and doing God’s work in the world.
28 Pray that, where religions conflict, the Spirit will help us bridge divides through dialogue, collaboration and mutual respect as we care for neighbors in need and advance justice in our communities.
29 “Peter felt hurt because [Jesus had asked him], ‘Do you love me?’ … [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 forgive us when we stray from the work Jesus left us, the work of loving and serving our neighbors and our siblings in Christ. Pray that Christ’s selfless, sacrificial, far-reaching love will inspire us to embrace God’s work in the world.
30 Ask the Spirit to open us to new insights and wisdom when we read Scripture — the ageless word of God that guides, inspires and informs our daily life.
Reprinted by permission. This resource may be copied and shared among members and friends of the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Contact info@elca.org for additional information. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631-4101. Telephone: 800-638-3522.
Pray at Our Labyrinth
You are welcome to walk our labyrinth at any time.
Walking the spiral is a form of prayerful meditation to hear God's voice, know God's will in our lives, and seek to have Christ as the center of all things; remembering that we are His hands bringing His love back to share as our witness to the world.
Click the link below for an in-depth explanation of Christian labyrinths.
Open the pdf below for 12 reasons how a labyrinth benefits a church.
Why Prayer Labyrinths
12reasons.pdfBegin & End The Day in Prayer
Morning: PRAY
Four steps for a good morning prayer can be remembered by the acronym –
PRAY: Praise, Reason, Ask, Yes
Paise God. Begin by thanking and praising God for keeping you through the night. Give thanks for God's great love.
Reason why God is giving you this day. What needs to be done by you today?
Ask God, for forgiveness and grace. Ask God for one gift today to help you be the best you can be.
Yes God! Tell God you are ready, willing, and able to accomplish the tasks for the day. Do your best and give God the rest.
Evening: GRIP
In the evening, get a grip on the day:
GRIP: Gratitude, Recollection, Inventory, Prayers
Gratitude: Take a moment to thank God for giving you this day. Give thanks for God's great love for you. Where did God bless you today?
Recollection: Look back at the events of the day. Consider who you saw, what you did, where you went. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage to be truly soul-searching. Were you growing closer to God or further away?
Inventory: Take inventory of how the day went. Thank God for the good you have done. Ask forgiveness for any wrong you have done. Prepare to make some amendment for sins. Take a good look at your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Accept God's forgiveness and be at peace.
Prayers: Give to God all those who need your prayers. Let no boundaries stand in your way as you pray for yourself, your family and friends, the Church, the country, and the world.
The Examen
Inspired by St. Ignatius, the examen is a reflective practice that connects us to our true selves and to the Sacred within us and around us. Its steps create space for loving and honest conversation. Through practice, we grow to recognize, know, and trust our inner wisdom and the voice of the Divine. In other words, it’s a path of spiritual friendship. It helps us live lives of compassion, intention, accountability, and hope.
The examen is founded on the belief that Love is in all things. We experience Love through our five senses in our daily experiences in the world and in people around us. In particular, we listen to how and where Loving Presence reaches out to us everyday.
Traditionally, the examen takes 5-15 minutes and is practiced in the middle or at the end of the day. The practical steps below work to guide the flow of our reflections according to its interior rhythm. Some people may feel awkward in the practice at first. Like all friendships though, trust and ease grow from rapport and showing up.
There is nothing to achieve. This is simply an opportunity to pay attention, to love, and to get to know the Sacred through your own experience. The examen is a gift we give ourselves and others through our generous attention to Love in the world.
ﾠ1. Give Thanksﾠ
Pause and give thanks for something
in your day (even if it’s small).
Gratitude lets us see the light in our lives alongside the shadows. Acknowledging what we cherish gives us a sense of wonder and connects us to Love within us and around us. In this way, gratitude is one way we tell the truth about ourselves and our lives. It’s another way we say, “This matters to me.”
ﾠ2. Reviewﾠ
Review what happened in your day
and how you felt about it.
We don’t have to remember every detail, but a general recap of our day makes us more aware of our reality and emotions. This is especially helpful if we are on autopilot or feeling disconnected from ourselves, love, or others. Reviewing our day also helps us consider that Love speaks to us through our humanity (our thoughts, emotions, and bodies) and that we’re invited to listen to all of that.
ﾠ3. Reflectﾠ
Reflect on consolation
and desolation by asking:
“When did I feel connected to
and disconnected from Love today?”
Holding the memories and feelings from the day, we now observe (without judgment) what sticks out and grabs our attention most. We listen to what brought us alive and made us feel most like ourselves. We call this feeling of being connected to Love and our true selves, consolation. And then we also listen, with equal attention, to what broke our heart, made us feel isolated, or misunderstood. We call this feeling of being disconnected from Love and our true selves, desolation. These deeper messages from our experiences and heart are often ways the Sacred invites us into deeper relationship, healing, and growth.
ﾠ4. Mendﾠ
Listen to where you need mending
or need to make amends.
This step is about accountability and compassion. We sit in union with Love and consider where there was misunderstanding or pain in our day. We listen to where we need to make amends and commit to taking steps to do so. We also listen to where we need to speak up about our own needs or on behalf of someone else. Again, we commit to following up on these revelations when we end our practice.
ﾠ5. Intendﾠ
Set an intention and move on with Love.
This step is about making peace with the day and moving on with fresh intention. It’s like cleaning the slate. We might need to wrap up loose ends, but we’re ready to move forward and intend to do so with Loving Presence. Based on all you’ve discovered and acknowledged so far, where do you want to go now? With what attitude and purpose do you want to take your next steps? What do you need to let go of and what do you need to carry with you to move on from here?
ﾠ6. Gratitudeﾠ
Give thanks (again).
Gratitude provides such a nourishing perspective, hope, and humility that ending our practice with it is like lighting a lantern for the path ahead. It also reminds us that we are not alone, but are traveling with Love who accepts us just as we are.
Click HERE to download a
printable copy of The Examen.
While You Wait
The Rev. Hollie M. Holt-Woehl explains how, even while waiting in line yet again, we can employ this time to offer our prayers at: While You Wait.
Prayer Requests
Please use the form at right to submit a prayer request for those in need.
We'll add them to our prayers during service and to our prayer list we distribute in our newsletter and post online.
You can also tell us when prayers are answered and those we have prayed for can be removed from our prayer list using the form at far right.
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