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 share your Good News.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ 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.
+ Our prayers continue for the fear, loss, and devastation in war-torn areas of our world. 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. We pray for those families who have lost loved ones. Loving God, may your peace reign.
+ 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 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 lift up Rev. Dan Peterson (Queen Anne Lutheran, Seattle) and his family following the death of his mother, Olga Peterson. (PLEASE NOTE UPDATED ADDRESS: Cards of care may be sent c/o Queen Anne Lutheran Church P.O. Box 17029, Seattle, WA 98127)
+ We lift up the family of Selma Johnson (widow of Rev. Roderick Johnson) following her death on January 11. (Selma's memorial service will be Saturday, February 18 at 1pm at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Seattle. Card of care may be sent to Selma Johnson's Family c/o Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133)
+ We lift up Jan Anderson and family following the death of her spouse, Deacon Paul Anderson (retired) on January 28. We give thanks for Paul's many years of ministry through Lutheran Counseling Network. (Paul's memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4 at 1pm at First Lutheran Church in Bothell. Cards of care may be sent to Jan and family c/o First Lutheran Church, 10207 NE 183rd St, Bothell, WA 98011.)
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Rev. Conrad Tollefson, Abi Griffith (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, and Rev. Ron Melver.
+ 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:
-- for Camp Lutherwood and their new Interim Executive Director, Judy Engh; be with them as they gather for their annual meeting this weekend - and as they begin to prepare for the summer camp season.
-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the North Carolina Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Phil Tonneson.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Stanley Jacobson, Rev. Bruce Jenkins, and Rev. Carol Jensen.
-- 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 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.
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