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 broken, lost or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ 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 our world, nation, and local communities.
+ God of all people, we lift to you this nation. We pray for reconciliation and healing in this country. We pray for a way forward where all people are treasured and supported. Instill in us the strength and wisdom to join in your way of peace, justice and love.
+ We give thanks for the gifts, accomplishments, influence, and witness of our African descent neighbors and siblings in Christ—we stand together to glorify God as partners in the gospel, doing God’s work in the world together. Though we are unified as siblings in Christ, we ask God to guide and help our church as it recommits to the work of racial justice, socioeconomic equity, racial reconciliation, and ending racism. (from ELCA Prayer Ventures)
+ 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.
+ We lift up those communities where insecurity, violence, and fear are the norm. Help us to bring healing, wholeness, and safety to these siblings. Inspire our leaders and guide us to be better advocates for the sake of each member in our community - especially those who have little power and no voice.
+ 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 partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us find sustainable solutions to end hunger and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ We pray for those places, people, and animals affected by natural disasters. 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: www.region1beprepared.org.
+ 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 wisdom and safety in their work.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Glen Aaberg, Deb Benson, Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith, Nan Beth Walton, Pam Miles, and Ron Melver.
+ We hold Pastor Beth Eden (Lutheran Church of the San Juans) as her mom, Phyllis, receives hospice care. May God's love and peace surround and comfort them in these days.
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ Each life is precious. We mourn with our fellow siblings as this pandemic has now claimed over 502,000 deaths in our county and nearly 2.5 million around the world. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed and recovering. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working to improve testing, creating additional vaccines, and providing effective vaccine distribution. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. Help us all to be wise and vigilant in our actions.
+ We pray for our neighbors who are fearful or in danger in their relationships. Sustain those who protect, support, and advocate for people who are experiencing domestic violence. (Reach out here for help: https://wscadv.org/get-help-now/)
+ We lift up those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Empower us to reach out to those who need care and support.
+ For those who are in despair, remember you are loved. You are never beyond God's mercy, grace, and love.
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)
We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Loving God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.
+ We lift up the family and friends of Liz Caemmerer, Co-Founder of the Grünewald Guild, following her death last Wednesday, February 17. We give thanks for the beauty and wisdom she has shared. (Memorial gifts in Liz's memory have been designated by the family for the Grünewald Guild - read more here.)
+ We lift up Pastor Deb Squires (Our Savior's-Everett / Family & Friends New Start) and her family following the death of her father, Hilmer Krause, following his death on Monday, February 15. May God's love and deep peace surround and comfort them. Cards of care may be sent to Deb & her family c/o Our Savior's; 215 Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203.
We pray for your church:
+ As we journey through this Lenten season, call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. ~ELW page 26
+ We celebrate the many years of service of our retired pastors and deacons. This week we give thanks for these retired rostered ministers: Sharon Lone-Browder, Marjorie Lorant, and Delmas Luedke.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries, their lay & rostered leaders:
-- Church of Steadfast Love (Seattle) and Pastor Kristy Daniels;
-- Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Pastor Bryon Hansen, Pastor Anne VanKley, and Vicar Sara Funkhouser;
-- the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, and their bishop, the Rev. Erik Gronberg;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
-- grant them wisdom and patience (especially in these challenging days) as they discern where it is that you are leading them;
-- We celebrate with Rev. Dr. Julie Josund as she joins the team of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Columbia Theological Seminary as the Thriving Congregations Grant Project Director Assistant. (Learn more about how she will support to CTS' reKindle congregational development program funded by the Lilly Endowment's Thriving Congregations grant.)
-- We give thanks for the interns serving and learning on our territory this year: Nisar Stephen (Lakeridge/Seattle), Cassandra Nagle (St. Matthew's/Renton); Sara Funkhouser (Phinney Ridge/Seattle), and Pam Karas (Central/Everett & Faith/Seattle). We give thanks to the congregations and supervisors providing space, support, and leadership for them.
-- We lift up the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff.
-- We lift up Word and Sacrament Candidate Caitlyn Melillo, serving at Seattle Children's Hospital since December, as she prepares to be ordained Sunday, February 28 at 2pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. May God continue to bless this new ministry partnership! (The event will be livestreamed here: https://youtu.be/40TW6yz6Pi8.)
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 this new year.
+ 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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