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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 pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war. 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. (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.


+ As we begin this new academic year, we remember in prayer teachers, classroom assistants, student teachers, counselors, coaches, school staff, and school administrators. May your Spirit sustain their enthusiasm and inspire their wisdom, creativity, patience, and concern for students and their families. Bless all students with curiosity, capacity, and confidence. Equip parents and other mentors with the tools needed to support their students.


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 Karen Erlander and the extended family of Rev. Dan Erlander (retired) who died early this last Sunday morning, August 28. We give thanks to God for the creative, poignant, and delightful ways that Dan so generously shared the Gospel. (A memorial service is being planned for this fall, we will share information as it is finalized. Cards of care may be sent to Karen at 6850 Woodlawn Ave. NE Apt 302, Seattle, WA 98115-5666.)


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 Rev. Eric Griffith), Deacon Nan Beth Walton, Rev. Ron Melver, and David Hillesland, father of Rev. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).


+ We hold in prayer Rev. Paul Feiertag (retired) hospitalized for sepsis and subsequent contraction of COVID. May healing and health abound as he prepares to return home. Prayers of safety for his wife Ingrid and sister Gloria, with whom he lives. Prayers of strength and encouragement for Paul’s son, Rev. Tim Feiertag (Trinity, Everett) as he journeys with their family.

 

+ We pray for people living with mental illness - and those who care for and support them. Encourage and strengthen all who work to improve access to mental health care. Enliven us to each combat the stigma of mental illness.

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)

https://suicidepreventionministry.org/


We pray for your church:

+ We pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring a sense of 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 that the fall programs and community ministries of our congregations will flourish, welcome guests, inspire faith, spread the gospel, respond to our neighbors’ needs and equip people for doing God’s work in the world.


We hold those gathering at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches as it begins today in Karlsruhe, Germany. (This Assembly is the most diverse Christian gathering of its size in the world, as it will bring together more than 4,000 participants from around the globe. Learn more here: www.oikoumene.org/Assembly)


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

-- First Evangelical Lutheran Church (Mount Vernon) and Rev. Ryan Rouse;

-- St. John United Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Anna Rieke;

-- the Synod's LiVE Project as final preparations are being made for this new academic year (join the final info session tonight, Aug. 31 at 6pm HERE);

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

-- the North/West Lower Michigan Synod (aka the Mitten Synod) and their bishop, the Rev. Craig Satterlee, Ph.D.


+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Maynard Atik, Rev. Wayne Bacus, and Rev. Jean Barrington;


+ 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 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
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