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 broken, lost, or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ 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.
+ We lift up those communities where insecurity, violence, and fear are the norm. Help us to bring healing, wholeness, and safety to these siblings. Inspire our leaders and guide us to be better advocates for the sake of each member in our community - especially those who have little power and no voice.
+ 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 the anti-racism teams in our congregations - and those who are in process of developing such teams - grant them wisdom and strength in their efforts to educate and make changes within their communities.
+ 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 partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us find sustainable solutions to end hunger and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ We pray for seasonal workers who depend on summer income for their livelihood, that they will find safe, fulfilling employment that pays a fair wage. We pray that we will express our gratitude and respect for their work and service.
+ We pray for those places, people, and animals affected by natural disasters - we are particularly mindful of the devastation in Haiti. 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: www.region1beprepared.org.
+ Holy God, we give you thanks for your great work of creation. We praise you for the beauty, diversity and interconnectedness of all life in the universe and on our Earth. But we mourn the ways in which our earthly home has been destroyed by our selfishness or inaction. As we approach Wildfire Recognition Sunday (Sept. 5), we hold before you all that has been lost – precious lives of people, animals, trees and valuable vegetation. We know you will never abandon your creation and that through your grace, we will be given all that we need now and always.(Find additional resources for Wildfire Recognition Sunday HERE.)
+ We pray for our Afghan allies who served alongside U.S. troops, diplomats, and other government employees as interpreters, translators, cultural advisors, drivers, and more. Because of their service to the U.S. mission, our allies and their families are now targets of anti-American violence. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. Learn more and support the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service here: www.lirs.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 lift up Pr. Joanne Engquist (Gethsemane, Seattle) and her family following the death of Pr. Joanne's mother, Darlene on August 12. (Cards of care may be sent to: Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 911 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101)
+ We lift up the family of Pr. Rick Pribbernow (former director/chaplain at Open Door Ministries) following his death on August 14. We pray that God's peace will surround and sustain his partner, Bob Van Burkleo, and their extended family. (Cards of care may be sent to: 2912 S. Dawson St., Seattle 98108)
+ We lift up the family of Ronald Jacobson following his death earlier this month. (Ron was the former President/CEO of Compass Health/previously Luther Child Center and active volunteer at Central Lutheran in Everett and in synod leadership roles. Read more about Ron here.)
+ We lift up the family and friends of Bill Horne, ELCA Vice President, following his death on August 14. (Read more about this faithful servant here)
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), Deacon Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Wendell Hendershott, Nancy Davis (widow of Pr. Chuck Davis, cards of care to: c/o First Lutheran Church 10207 NE 183rd St, Bothell, WA 98011), and Bishop Michael Lozano (Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod).
+ 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 begin to expand in-person gatherings, help us be care-filled, patient, and gracious with one another.
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ 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 lift up those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
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 pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- Gift of Grace Lutheran Church (Seattle), Pr. Jami Fecher and Pr. Kari Reiten;
-- Vashon Lutheran Church (Vashon Island) and Pr. Joe Kutzke;
-- the South Dakota Synod and Bishop Constanze Hagmaier;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
+ We give thanks to God for these rostered ministers and their many gifts as they celebrate ministry milestones during the month of August:
Pr. Jana Schofield (20 years); Pr. Bryon Hansen (35 years);
Pr. Jim Kruse (40 years); and Pr. George Nickelsburg (55 years).
+ We celebrate the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we give thanks for these retired ministers: Don Brekhus, Cliff Bronson, and Al Bruck.
+ We hold in prayer those leading and participating in Vacation Bible School, Day Camps, Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Camps, and Service Trips this summer. May these experiences enliven and enrich the lives of all.
-- we lift up 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;
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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