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;

+ help us to forgive as you forgive;

+ 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 be and share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of all people living in the midst of fear and violence. We fervently pray for your Spirit's wisdom for our world leaders in this time to seek your way of peace. We lift up those who lost loved ones in the March 23 attack on a Moscow concert venue - in which 130 persons lost their lives.

+ We pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support our new neighbors through Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge - formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - globalrefuge.org)

+ We plead that you renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of gun violence in our country — to prevent gun violence. Guide us as we attend to traumatized individuals, families, and communities. Embolden us to advocate for common-sense gun safety laws.

+ 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.

+ The month of April brings two awareness/prevention campaigns that are central to the work of our partners at Lutheran Community Services Northwest: Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. We hold in prayer all survivors and those who provide care. We ask God to lead us in building informed, accountable, and connected communities to help reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

+ The month of April is also Autism Acceptance Month. Creator God, we give you thanks for the rich diversity of your people. Guide us to recognize and celebrate the varied experiences across the Autism spectrum. Help us to see and lift up our autistic siblings as whole and complete persons - who bring a variety of gifts, complexities, and differences that open up our world in unique and special ways. (Read articles here from Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead; go to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for resoures - partner tool kit, access to studies, and social media content - helping our congregations to think beyond awareness and promote acceptance of our autistic siblings in Christ.)

We pray for those who are grieving:

+ We pray for people grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, that they will be comforted by God and know that, as members of the body of Christ and communities of faith, they are not alone in their 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 in prayer Deacon Troy Faith Ward (retired) following the death of her husband Ron last week. (His memorial service was held last Saturday. Cards of care may be sent to: Troy Faith Ward & Family; 2827 Nevada Street; Bellingham, WA 98226)

+ We continue to lift up in prayer the family of Rev. Chris Berry (retired), former Campus Pastor at Western Washington University, as they grieve his death on March 14. Hold all who mourn his death in your arms of care and grant them peace. (A memorial service is planned for 2pm on Friday, April 12 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham. Cards of care may be sent to: Deenie Berry & Family; 884 St Andrew's Way; Bellingham, WA 98229)

+ We continue to lift up in prayer the family of Helen Hustad following her death on March 7, including her husband, Rev. Jack Hustad, and son, Rev. Mikkel Hustad. Enfold all who mourn her in your love and care - and the hope of your promise of new life in you. (Memorial service to be held in June - date TBD at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach, Shoreline.) 

We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:

+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Abi (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Paul Feiertag, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Maynard Atik (Peritoneal Dialysis), Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes), Rev. Malcolm Brown, Rev. Marjorie Lorant, and Raja and Ilyas (brothers to Ministry Candidate Nisar Stephen).

+ We lift up Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bakken who recently suffered a stroke. Surround him with your healing presence as he continues to rebuild strength and health.

+ 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 your church:

+ We pray for the creative and collaborative ministries across the synod and country that accompany and serve neighbors in need through community gardens, meals, food pantries, homeless shelters, counseling, disaster response, neighborhood renewal, day care for children and adults, educational opportunities, and connecting volunteers with ecumenical partners and community organizations.

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders: 

-- Kent Lutheran Church and their pastor, Rev. Tormod Svensson;

-- Rostered Ministers and their families;

-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;

-- the people and ministries of the Metropolitan Washington DC Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Leila Ortiz.

+ We give thanks to God for rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of April. This month we lift up and celebrate with:

Rev. Andy Yee (25 years on 4/18)

Rev. Jami Fecher (35 years on 4/2)

Rev. Penelope Guntermann (45 years on 4/16)

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. Thanks be to God for the ways you continue to support ministers and ministries in your settled communities. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon LaVonne Johnson, Rev. Mark Johnson, and Rev. Mike Johnson.

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.

-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: legacy planning teams, transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;

-- we pray for all who are in discernment and/or awaiting call.

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. 

Email susan@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer petition or update.

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