God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:

+ 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;

+ lead us as we move from this Lenten season through the Three Days to Easter Sunday - grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ We pray for all people of Armenian descent as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24th. This day marks the 1915 start of the Armenian genocide that culminated in 1.5 million Armenians being killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Sadly, this genocide became a template for other 20th century genocides, including the Holocaust. May God comfort and heal the descendants of all those who were lost, enliven efforts to reclaim Armenian cultural heritage, and help people of different religions, races and ethnicities live together in peace.  

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence, 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, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service), and our partners and companion churches. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service) www.globalrefuge.org 

+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our Synod Hunger Team, and for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.

+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them encouragement, wisdom and safety in their work.

+ We remember in prayer our neighbors and siblings who are without safety, shelter, food or basic social services. Guide us to be tireless, creative and respectful in providing immediate and long-term care for those who are without homes or stable housing. Lead us to be bold in advocating for just laws that yield appropriate and truly affordable housing.

We pray for those who are grieving:

+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love, peace, and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.

+ We lift up those whose incomes have been reduced, those whose jobs have been suspended, and all who are facing unemployment or underemployment – across all industries, companies, and positions. Draw your people together in one supportive and loving community - advocating for and sustaining those who are struggling.

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. Ken Bakken, Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes), and Rev. Marjorie Lorant.

We pray for your church:

+ We lift up the anti-racism teams in our congregations - and those who are in process of developing such teams - grant them wisdom and endurance in their efforts to educate and make changes within their communities. We hold in prayer our synod's Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity as they seek to provide leaders with education and resources that enable us to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our congregations, and the wider church.

+ We pray for programs and partners of the ELCA churchwide organization that support young adults as they grow in faith and discover who God is calling them to be in the world, including ELCA Young Adult Ministry, Young Adults in Global Mission, Young Adult Justice Network, Campus Ministry, and Outdoor Ministries.

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

-- Anacortes Lutheran Church (Anacortes) and Rev. Scott Peterson;

-- Luther Memorial Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Sara Funkhouser;

-- Consultation to Clergy and Rev. Laurin Vance;

-- for those who gathered at the Bishop's Convocation this week;

-- for our Candidates considering ministry in the ELCA and our Synod Candidacy Committee as they gather on Thursday;

-- for our neighbors in the Southwestern Washington Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Rick Jaech;

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

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Joe Kutzke, Rev. John LaMunyon, and Rev. Jeff Larson.

+ 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 - grant them patience, wisdom, and vision;

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;

+ Guide us as we turn our selves, our hearts, our eyes to you;

+ 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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