About

The call to prayer runs through Scripture: the community gathered before Pentecost, the faithful praying to receive the Word in Nehemiah, some 150 Psalms calling us to pray alone and together. Now, in this time of significant change, we pray.

As people who follow Jesus, we pray. Alone and together, we pray. And, in times of great change, we pray.

We can agree that 2025 has begun as a time of significant change, particularly in our federal government. Whether we agree or disagree with the changes, the very speed of the actions gives us pause. And so we pray.

We pray for peace. We pray for victims of war, violence, and persecution. We pray for those who have lost jobs or vital services. We pray for children, people with disabilities, elders. We pray for those experiencing anxiety in the face of rapid change. We pray for government leaders. We pray for civil discourse in our communities. We pray for our congregation and for the renewal of the church. And we pray that we might each be faithful disciples, good listeners, and loving Christians.

History

Shaped by the Lutheran understanding of vocation -- a life-long calling to use one's gifts for the common good -- it was inevitable that Ann Svennungsen and Jodi Harpstead, two women who had recently left full-time work, would ask "Well, what's next?" With years of church and public service between them and taking in the current environment, they agreed their call to service wasn't ending.

As women of faith, they began to think of the need for prayer; indeed our great need to pray in this time of enormous and unsettling change. Open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, they began conversations with others.

"Pray Without Ceasing" was thus born.

The Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA and Bishop Jen Nagel were the first to sign up – providing leadership and a space on their website to start testing ideas. The ELCA Innovation Lab jumped in to design and launch the standalone website with resources for participating congregations.

Hats off to a dozen or so congregations across numerous synods who signed up as early adopters. Leaders of these congregational prayer groups - from all across the country - gather on Zoom each Thursday to pray together, answer questions, and share ideas to shape this movement.