News & Events

Bravery and selflessness does not justly describe the character of the health care professionals, essential workers, first responders, grocers, food and service providers along with everyone else working on the front lines across the country, against this unprecedented COVID-19 virus pandemic. Unfortunately, at some point, the critical work they are doing during this crisis, the impact on the family, will take a toll on their psychological well-being. Grief, despair, anxiety, depression, worry, isolation, panic, mood swings, sleep issues, phobia, and other mental issues can complicate the ability to perform their duties.  To ensure the psychological well being of their colleagues, knowing how crucial it is to maintain mental health; Mental health therapists are doing their part. Today we offer this scripture and prayer for MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS… 

Isaiah 41:9-10  (NRSV)

You whom I took from the ends of the earth,  and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant   I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
do not fear, for I am with you    do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,   I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Let us pray…

Loving God, way maker, we offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Mental Health professionals, for psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health therapist providers. We praise you for all the ways you have equipped them with the skills needed to perform their work. That those they encounter through work, coaching and relationship may experience your reflection, your grace, compassion, mercy, comfort and hope as they struggle through this trying season. Protect their minds, their very souls.  We pray you fill them with your Holy Spirit to strengthen, help and empower them for their Mental Health vocation. Remind them of your presence God, that in times of isolation and alienation they are not alone, you are near. Cause them blessed assurance that they are yours, you will bring them through, and that they are deeply loved and seen by you. May they be encouraged every step of the way. Give them a praise in their heart for the burden of heaviness. And last give them rest in you for renewal, so that they may continue the great fight with Faith. May they be met with a cheerful heart and kind word  from everyone they encounter. In your holy and matchless name we pray. Amen

Rev. Babette Chatman 

April 5, 2020

These are times of high anxiety and deep anguish. The pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our communal life, and we still anticipate the peak of cases looming on our country’s horizon. Spiritual leaders in our interreligious world are trained and equipped to accompany people in times of angst and suffering; nevertheless, no one can ever be prepared for this kind of crisis and the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual toll it is taking on the global community. Today we offer “A PRAYER FOR…SPIRITUAL LEADERS” seeking to care for their local communities while simultaneously tending to their own personal circumstances in this trying time.

Hebrews 13:4

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you.” 

Let us pray:

Holy One, Spirit of Comfort: we remember the spiritual leaders in our midst who are speaking your word and accompanying your people in and through the chaos of the coronavirus. Sustain all whom you have called – whose faith traditions may differ but whose purpose is united in neighborly service and love borne out of your Divine promises. We pray for priests, rabbis, ministers, imams, pastors, guides, shamans, monks, preachers, nuns, deacons, chaplains, and all clergy persons fostering care in these mercurial days. May they be beacons of hope and vessels of mercy; give them strength, wisdom, compassion, and the assurance of your presence as they tend to others. Amen and amen.

Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres

April 4, 2020     

Psalm 145:13-14

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The LORD sustains all who fall,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

Let us pray:

Merciful Provider, you sustain and nourish all who are in your kingdom, from the birds of the air, to the beasts of the earth, to your human children. You seek out the needful and the suffering and raise them up. You provide for the hungry, the thirsty and those in need of shelter. Lord, we lift up our prayers to you for all who are being impacted by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. For those whose incomes have been reduced, for those whose jobs have been suspended and all who are facing unemployment – across all industries, companies, and positions. Holy one, you sustain all who fall and raise up all who are bowed down. Provide for the families and individuals who are enduring economic hardship. Draw your people together in one supportive and loving community. Amen.

April 3, 2020

I would like to share some words from Augsburg University’s President Paul Pribbenow, addressing the community at the onset of the COVID-19 virus. He wrote,” thank you for your patience – and thanks most of all for the remarkable effort you are making to support our students and each other in these distressing times… I am feeling especially for all of you whose grace and generosity with and for each other gives me great hope”.

Being a leader takes courage, discipline, and determination. While a great leader can bring great success, it also comes at the cost or risk of being judged and overwhelmed. The Bible speaks to many leaders and how God blessed them for their work. We would like to offer a prayer for leaders who choose to step up and lead during these challenging times.  For Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow, his leadership team (PLT), our sibling Evangelical Lutheran Church in American colleges and universities, and all other institutions of higher learning in the United States and abroad as they carry the mantle of leadership guiding their institutions to meet the challenges of shifting to alternative methods of instructing, manage finances, oversee the quality of the academics, support programs, consult and cooperate with Regents as well as planning for the future.  We offer this scripture and prayer to all UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS…

Romans 8:28-30 (NRSV)

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Let us pray.

Loving and gracious God, we thank you for the gift of wisdom. We offer a prayer of thanksgiving for University and College Presidents. We thank you for the gift of their leadership. For their ability to stand and lead in trying times. We ask that you be with them and bless them, to hear your words of peace, and to not fear for you are with them. We ask that you strengthen and guide them and their leadership teams to direct and guide during this challenging time. We ask that you hush any voices that would lift against them in judgment, for you have created them for such a time as this. Give them confidence to know that all things will work out for good, for you have called them to this great work. We ask, Lord God, you bless their families and homes with unity and your peace.  Protect them to lead and may all experience a hope that does not disappoint. And to you be the power and the glory. Amen  

Rev. Babette Chatman

April 2, 2020

When the National Basketball Association suspended the 2019-2020 professional season due to coronavirus, the shockwaves were felt throughout the sporting world. And within a few days, nearly all professional, college, high school, and youth athletic programs were cancelled until further notice. The culmination of this reality for the athletic world was the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Japan. Into this disruption, we offer “A PRAYER FOR…ATHLETES AND COACHES.”

Hebrews 12:1

 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”  

Let us pray:

God of the Incarnation, of flesh and bone: you gift us with physical bodies that take joy in the rigor of sport and competition. We pray for athletes and coaches whose passions have been put on pause due to the dangers of COVID-19. For professionals, college student-athletes, and young competitors who must refrain for team building, normal conditioning routines, and community engagement, we lift to you. With the sporting world in upheaval and as athletes’ dreams are delayed, we ask that you hold all whose lives and livelihoods are dependent upon the economy of competition. Helps us all to join the great cloud of witnesses, to run together the race before us with perseverance hoping that healing and restoration will come, through the power of your Spirit. Amen.   

Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres

Prayer for April 1, 2020

Parents and guardians are keenly aware that children and youth are often attune to any anxiety in the air. And when the household, communal, national, and global anxiety is as thick as this dense COVID-19 fog, the effects on children and youth can be stifling (figuratively and literally!). Like all of us, they too take the anxiety into their bodies. We offer this prayer for all the young ones among us who are struggling physically or emotionally while seeking to cope to new norms brought about by this anxiety-producing pandemic. This is “A PRAYER FOR…CHILDREN AND YOUTH.”

Mark 10:14: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.’”

Let us pray:

Mothering God, like a parent with open arms, you beckon children and youth to receive the very gifts of heaven available in your tender embrace. Hold the little (and not so little) ones in these anxious, dangerous hours of coronavirus. Give kids calm, give them comfort, give them the care they need to endure and thrive. We pray for children on poverty’s edge in need of nourishment; for teens missing their friends; for youth seeking to learn in this massive disruption to educational systems; and for all young (and not so young) ones among us who are sacred. May your promise of presence and blessing of love surround and keep us all, your beloved children. This we pray trusting in the invitation of Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres

Prayer for March 29, 2020