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After all, what's really needed most is prayer.

Be assured of my prayers for those still in the ELCA. I became Roman Catholic nine years ago-not because I wanted to leave the Lutheran Church but because it left me.

It was barely recognizable as the faith in which I had grown up-beautiful hymns replaced with trivial folk music, altars torn out, and replaced with tables, and teachings that I had grown up with being revised to be inclusive, hip, and socially relevant.

I still have a great affection for the church in which I was baptized, confirmed, married, and in which my child was baptized. I think sometimes I am more saddened by the implosion of the Lutheran Church than many Lutherans in my family.

I've posted these on a couple of related threads, but here goes one more time: Prayers for the Churchwide Assembly, written by Pr. Sara Gausman, one of the orothodox clergy voting members from the Lower Susquehanna Synod:

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY

God of grace and glory whose compassion led to the cross and the grave we pray that you would keep our eyes focused on you. By the power of your Holy Spirit fill us with humility so that we would only seek your will and not our own. Fill us with hope as we remember your triumph over sin and death and as we look forward to your final victory over suffering and evil. Lord, in your mercy....hear our prayer.

Almighty and ever living God, the wisdom of the ages lays at your command. Stir up your power and come to us that we would draw on the insight of your Word for the decisions that we make. Help us to speak the truth in love and to be on our guard against the deceivers of this world. Give us the courage and energy it takes to stand up when we are called on to be servants of your Word. Lord, in your mercy....hear our prayer.

Holy God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in you we live and move and have our being. You know what we need even before we ask, help us to walk in your ways and to lead others to the truth. Bless our leaders with wisdom and give all decision makers clarity of thought. Help us to trust in you for you live and reign one God through all ages. Lord, in your mercy....hear our prayer.

Precious Savior, you harkened the little children to come unto you. Continue to make our congregations safe havens for children that what we teach may bring strength and direction to their lives. Bless parents and educators and all those who work with children that they may not grow weary in doing what is right but may be lifted up to be examples of righteousness and holiness for the sake of your holy name. Lord, in your mercy....hear our prayer.

Patient God, we thank you for your forgiveness and the new life that you bring. Transform our lives this day. Make us more ready to forgive and to give. Encourage husbands and wives to remain faithful to their wedding vows and to live lives of commitment and service. Lord, in your mercy....hear our prayer.

Eternal God, your wisdom spans the generations and brings stability to a changing world. Keep us steadfast in your unchanging love and bind us together with your holy Word. Bless the family dear God, that as we deal with the constant demands of this world we would not succumb to competing priorities but be diligent in our calling as your children marked by your cross in Holy Baptism. Make our lights shine before others and give glory to you Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.