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.
+ This Native American Heritage Month - and each day - remind us that we gather on the historic lands of the Coastal Salish peoples. May we honor the people of this land. May we remember that the oppression of Native peoples is not a relic of the past but continues today. And may we, through God’s Spirit, repent and walk forward together, changing systems that discriminate as we live into authentic diversity and healing. (Click here to read the ELCA's recent declaration on American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. Follow the ELCA American Indian/Alaska Native Lutheran Association Facebook page here.)
+ 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 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 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 places, people, and animals affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, fire, storms... We are particularly mindful of the impact of flooding in many areas of our synod. 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 pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support incoming Afghan Allies - Lutheran Community Services Northwest has several links for how to help: https://lcsnw.org/ ...and...Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) through Refugees Northwest has opportunities for you to help: https://lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)
+ 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 in prayer the Rev. Richard (Dick) Wendt (retired) following the death of his wife, Polly on November 1. We ask for God's love and peace to surround her family and friends as they gather to celebrate her life this Saturday, November 20 at 11am at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo;
-- we continue to hold in prayer the family, friends, and congregation of Pastor Ron Marshall (First Lutheran Church in West Seattle) following his death on November 9;
-- we continue to hold in prayer the family & friends of Joseph & Claudia Wagner as they gather for their memorial service this Saturday, November 20 at 1pm at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Seattle;
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, Pr. Glen Aaberg, and Bishop Michael Lozano (Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod).
+ 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 - as we now have over five million lives lost. 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 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:
-- Immanuel Lutheran (Seattle) and Pr. Priscilla Austin Paris and Intern Rachel San Diego;
-- the residents and staff at The Hearthstone (Seattle);
-- Consultation to Clergy and Rev. Phil Streufert; (we hold Phil in prayer as he approaches retirement - and we pray for the leadership team as they discern the next executive director!)
-- the Western North Dakota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Craig Schweitzer;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
+ We give thanks for those attending the First Call Theological Education event online this week. + We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Susan Hookham, Mark Houglum, and Inez Hushagen.
-- 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;
-- we celebrate with Pr. Scott Peterson and Anacortes Lutheran Church as he began serving as their new pastor this week. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Installation service will be January 30);
-- we hold in prayer Pr. Scott Kramer and the congregation of Lakeridge Lutheran Church (Seattle) as they share their final worship service together this weekend - and celebrate the beginning of Pr. Scott's retirement. We give thanks for the many years of ministry together - and for where Spirit will lead them each now.
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.
+ + + + +
Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
+ + + + +
