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:

+ 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. Help your church to be an open and welcoming place for all. (Learn more with the ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice Facebook page and website.)

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence, natural disasters, and climate. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, 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)

(A set of worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land is now available on ELCA.org. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.)

+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, storms, and especially in these recent weeks -wildfires. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. We pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, members of the National Guard, disaster response volunteers, relief agencies, and neighbors who respond to individuals and communities in times of severe weather and natural disaster. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

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 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, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and Rev. Ron Melver.

+ 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.

988 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)

1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)

1-800-799-4889 (TTY)

1-866-488-7386 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+)

1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)

1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)

We pray for your church:

+ God of Peace, as the busyness of the Advent and Christmas seasons begins, help us focus on you in these holy days. (Find an advent devotional from Church of Steadfast Love HERE.)

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

-- First Lutheran Church (Bothell) and Rev. Tor Berg;

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

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

-- the North/West Lower Michigan Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Craig Satterlee.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon Madelyn Busse, Rev. Deb Butler, and Rev. Eduardo Cabrera.

+ 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 - grant them wisdom and patience in this process.

-- for Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens as they gather for their Holy Closure service this Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4pm. We give thanks to God for the legacy of this congregation - they have richly blessed their community by sharing God's love with one another and their neighbors. Loving God, hold them in your care as they celebrate their many years of ministry. Sustain them as they mourn - and inspire them as they discover where the Spirit will lead them next. (All are welcome to the service, followed by a potluck and fellowship. 9613 20th St. SE, Lake Stevens.)

-- 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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