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Weekly Prayer Message
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 your world and your people:
+ We lift up those whose lives have been lost to gun violence. We ask God to renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of racism, hate, and gun violence in our country. May we be makers of peace through our words, actions, and advocacy. (Learn more about the ELCA's social message Community Violence and the resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence.")

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by the war in Ukraine. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)

+ 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 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 who 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:
Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
 
+ We pray for those diagnosed with and recovering from COVID, including Helen & Rev. Jack Hustad (retired).

+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.

We give thanks for new life:
+ We celebrate with Ministry Candidate, Kira Day and family, with the birth of twins on Sunday! (Kira is currently leading a new Organic Faith Community in the synod called (d)well. Learn more about Organic Faith Communities that are being cultivated in our synod at this upcoming event.)

We pray for your church:
+ We give thanks for the Spirit's presence and guidance at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly last week. (You may review the Churchwide Assembly Guide with all of the pre-assembly materials by simply signing in with your email HERE. Alternatively, you may read summaries of each day's events HERE. Or watch the plenary session recordings AND the worship service recordings HERE.)

+ We pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer and fall. May this time bring rest and renewal for them, for their families, and their congregations. We give thanks for those who are stepping into pulpit supply, pastoral care coverage, and leadership roles to support these important leave-taking endeavors.

+ 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: 
-- Family & Friends Gathering (Everett) and Rev. Deb Squires;
-- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (Maple Valley) and Rev. Andy Arnold;
-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the La Crosse Area Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Felix Malpica.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Robert Bieke, Rev. Paul Benz, and Rev. Alan Berg;

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;
-- we lift up Pr. Paul Eldred and the congregation of Central Lutheran Church (Seattle) as they shared their first Sunday together this past weekend - God bless this new ministry partnership (his installation will be Friday, September 16 at 7pm);
-- we lift up Laura Sasaki Norton as she joins the NWWA Synod Staff as our new Synod Administrator (TODAY!);
-- 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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Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292