God of life and breath, you are our source of hope.
+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;
+ sustain us when we are feeling weary, broken, lost, or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ reform in us what needs reforming;
+ inspire us to be your hands and voice in your world;
+ strengthen us to take action to seek justice for our neighbors;
+ grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.
We pray for our world, nation, and local communities.
+ Guide us to recognize our prejudices and empower us take action to eliminate the persistent institutional racism that permeates our world, country, communities, courts, church, and hearts. We lift up our Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity as they resource our rostered leaders. We lift up the anti-racism teams in our congregations - and those who are in process of developing such teams - grant them wisdom and endurance in their efforts to educate and make changes within their communities. We hold the LiVE Project Planning Team in prayer as they prepare for their next course offering for laypeople in our synod beginning January 19: "Interrogating Privilege in Church and Our Lives." (Learn more about the course and how to register here.)
+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our Synod Hunger Team and our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ We pray for those who are without home or shelter. We lift up the ministries in our synod working to help create and provide better access to shelter and care. We join with our congregation the Church of Steadfast Love (Seattle) as they lead a service of remembrance for those who have died on the streets or as a result of homelessness this Friday, January 7 at 4pm - now online only - join here: www.youtube.com/c/ImmanuelLutheranChurchSeattle.
+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, fire, and storms. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness with our regional partners at www.region1beprepared.org.
+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them wisdom and safety in their work.
We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Pr. Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, Pr. Marc Stroud, Paul Hookham, (husband of Pr. Susan Hookham), Pr. Erik Wilson Weiberg, and Pr. Glen Aaberg.
+ We pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse and addictions. We pray for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. We pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, weakness and stumbling.
+ We lift up all who experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. May they feel God's loving and healing embrace. Empower us to reach out to those who need care and support. For those who are in despair, remember you are loved. You are never beyond God's mercy, grace, and love.
1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)
1-800-799-4889 (TTY)
1-877-574-4729 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+ under 24)
1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)
1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)
+ We mourn with our fellow siblings as this pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods.. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed, recovering, and living with long-term effects. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working distribute the vaccines. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. As our communities and churches host in-person gatherings, help us be care-filled, patient, and gracious with one another.
+ We pray for our neighbors who are fearful or in danger in their relationships. Sustain those who protect, support, and advocate for people who are experiencing domestic violence. (Reach out here for help: https://wscadv.org/get-help-now/)
We pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- Bethany Lutheran Church (Bainbridge Island) and Pr. Paul Stumme-Diers;
-- Bethel Chinese Lutheran Church (Seattle) and their leadership team;
-- Luther's Table (Renton) and their board of directors;
-- the Montana Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Laurie Jungling;
-- the Oregon Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Lee Kluth, Lowell Knutson, and (very newly retired) Scott Kramer;
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff;
-- Holding Pr. Chelsea Globe and Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Washington in prayer as she has been officially called to serve as their campus pastor following a time of serving as their transition pastor. May God continue to bless this ministry partnership! (Installation in Feb TBD)
-- We hold Pr. John Schraan and the congregation of Our Saviour's (Arlington) in prayer as he begins serving as their new pastor this week. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Installation set for Feb. 6 at 2pm)
-- We give thanks for Open Door Ministries who have provided care, resources, and leadership in our synod for our LGBTQIA+ siblings and allies. The Board of Directors and attending membership recently passed a resolution authorizing their dissolution. We give thanks for what has been - and we ask God to guide us as we explore future ministry opportunities to and with the LGBTQIA+ community in the NW Washington Synod of the ELCA. Find their farewell letter here: https://www.opendoorelca.org/
May our prayers rise before you as incense.
+ Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
+ Sustain, uplift, and encourage us as we live into your calling.
+ Trusting in your mercy and grace, we lift our prayers to you.
Amen.
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Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
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