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 our world, nation, and local communities.
+ 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.
+ This month we continue celebrate and 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. (Watch the next "Talks at the Desk" video series today at 5:30pm. Learn more here.)
+ 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 our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ 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 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.
+ 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 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;
+ Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are struggling in their relationships. We pray for comfort and healing for those are mourning the end of a relationship.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Pr. Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, Pat Braaten, Pr. Lee Kluth.
+ We pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse and addictions. We pray for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. We pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, and stumbling.
+ We lift up all who experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. May they feel God's loving and healing embrace. 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 grieve with our fellow siblings as this pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed, recovering, and living with long-term effects. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working distribute the vaccines. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. As our communities and churches host in-person gatherings, help us be care-filled, patient, and gracious with one another.
+ 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 pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- Camano Lutheran Church (Camano Island) and Pr. Scott Brents;
-- Nativity Lutheran Church (Renton) and Pr. Heidi Calhoun;
-- the Eastern North Dakota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia. We are mindful of the continuing unrest and mounting danger in Ukraine. We pray for safety for all - and pray for God’s Spirit of peace to overcome the division and the threat of war. (Online Faith Vigil for Peace - today at 9am. We pray together and to lament the human harm caused by violence and conflict. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is among participants as we offer prayers for the people of Ukraine and for a peaceful resolution to the crisis that prevents further human suffering. Join by Zoom link (register at https://iam.ec/FaithUkraine) or by Facebook Live -https://www.facebook.com/TheEPPN/posts/10166235113615357)
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Jim McEachran, Ron Melver, and Carl Moll.
-- we pray for 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 pray for all who are in discernment and awaiting call;
-- we pray for Deacon Le Brandes and those in the Stillaguamish Cluster Missional Experiment as she concludes her work with them this month. We give thanks for God's creative Spirit - and the learnings of the last two years.
-- we pray for Pr. Kathy Hawks and Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church (Seattle) as they share their final Sunday together this weekend. We give thanks to God for their many years of ministry together. We ask blessings on the congregation and Pr. Gretchen Mertes as they begin this time of transition - and pray for Pr. Kathy as she discovers her path in retirement;
-- we pray for Pr. Tim Whiteman and Central Lutheran Church (Bellingham) as they share their last Sunday together this weekend. We give thanks to God for their many years of ministry together. We ask blessings on the congregation as they begin this time of transition - and pray for Pr. Tim as he discovers his path in retirement;
-- we celebrate with Central Lutheran Church (Everett) as they welcome their new pastor, the Rev. Jim Killough this week - God bless this new ministry partnership!
-- we celebrate with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Mercer Island) as they welcome their new pastor, the Rev. Rhonda Bostrom next week - God bless this new ministry partnership!
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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