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.
+ Our prayers arise for the fear, loss, and devastation experienced in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. May a wise peaceful path be found and followed soon. We pray for all who are in danger and all who have had to flee their homes.
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Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. To support the response, give here: community.elca.org/eastern-europe-crisis-response.
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Read a letter from Rev Zach Courter, missionary from our synod serving in Hungary that was sent out earlier today here.
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The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is receiving donations to support the churches and people of Ukraine, who are fleeing their homes and seeking shelter and basic necessities here: https://donate.lutheranworld.org/emergencies/ukraine/~my-donation
+ 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 gather for a retreat this week and as they continue to 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 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.
+ During this Women’s History Month, we celebrate and give thanks for the achievements, influence, leadership, stories, gifts and faithful witness of women in our church and society throughout history. We pray for women who suffer injustice, demeaning stereotypes, violence and poverty, that they will cling to hope and be delivered from their suffering and persecution to live freely and boldly as loved and valued children of God.
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;
+ Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are struggling in their relationships. We pray for comfort and healing for those are mourning the end of a relationship.
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, and Pr. Mikkel Hustad.
+ 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, 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 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:
-- Central Lutheran Church (Bellingham) and their pastoral transition leadership;
-- Oak Harbor Lutheran Church (Oak Harbor) and Pr. Jeff Spencer;
-- we lift up our Synod Executive Committee and Finance Team as they gather this week;
-- the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Bill Tesch;
-- 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: Martha Myers, Jan Nesse, and George Nickelsburg.
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff;
-- we pray for all who are in discernment and awaiting call;
-- we celebrate with Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Washington and Pr. Chelsea Globe as she is installed as Campus Minister on Sunday, March 13, 3:30pm at University Lutheran Church in Seattle. God bless this new ministry partnership!
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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