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;
+ encourage us as we pray with siblings around the world during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (learn more here).
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 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 lift up our leaders and participants preparing to observe an Annual Day of Racial Healing on January 18 (find resources 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 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 hold our Synod Administrator, Traci Hall, in prayer as she mourns the death of her beloved Aunt Eugenia Russell.
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:
-- Bethel Ethiopian Church of Seattle and Pr. Berhanu Waldemariam & Pastor Abnet Legesse;
-- Magnolia Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Pr. Kevin Bates;
-- the British Columbia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and their newly installed bishop, the Rev. Kathleen (Kathy) Martin - installed as bishop this last week;
-- the Sierra Pacific Synod, their synod council and synod leaders, and their bishop, the Rev. Megan Roher;
-- 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: Jim Kruse, Joe Kutzke, and John LaMunyon.
-- 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;
-- we lift up Pr. Anja Helmon and the congregation of Northlake Lutheran Church (Kenmore) as they gather for their final Sunday together this weekend. We give thanks for their years of ministry together. Be with the congregation as they enter this time of transition - and with Pr. Anja as she prepares for a new adventure.
-- we lift up Pr. Sharon Swanson and the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church (Bellingham) as they gather for their final Sunday together this weekend. We give thanks for their years of ministry together. Be with the congregation as they enter this time of transition - and with Pr. Sharon as she begins her retirement following many years of faith-filled leadership in her community and our synod
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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