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.
+ Our prayers arise for the fear, loss, and devastation experienced in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. May a wise peaceful path be found and followed soon. (Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. To support the response, give here: community.elca.org/eastern-europe-crisis-response)
+ 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 our Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity as they resource our rostered leaders.
-- 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 give thanks for the efforts around the ELCA to raise awareness, challenge beliefs, and support change (Join a special webinar on March 5, 11am-12:30pm, to explore “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent.” More info and how register in advance for this free learning opportunity 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;
+ We lift up the family of the Rev. Wendell Stakkestad (retired) following his death on Monday, February 28. We give thanks for his many years of faithful service - sharing the gospel and his musical talents. Cards of care may be sent to his daughter Wendy Saarela at: 1715 59th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Memorial service will be held at Edison Lutheran Church in Bow on Saturday, March 12 at 12noon.
+ We lift up the family and friends of Patricia "Pat" Braaten (widow of Pr. Jim Braaten) following her death on February 26. (Find her obituary here.) We give thanks for her faithful witness.
+ 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, and Pr. Mikkel Hustad.
+ 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 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:
-- Celebration Lutheran Church (Anacortes) and Pr. Deb Butler;
-- Northlake Lutheran Church (Kenmore) and their transition leadership;
-- we lift up the ELCA bishops and leaders gathered for the Conference of Bishops this week;
-- the South Dakota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Constanze Hagmaier;
-- 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: Estelle Morley, Valinda Morse, and Pat Moylan.
+ We lift up these rostered ministers celebrating ministry milestones during the month of March:
Pr. Jean Barrington - 25 years and Pr. Kathy Hawks - 35 years.
-- 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 hold in prayer Pr. Sue Schneider and the congregation of University Lutheran as they share their final Sunday together. Be with Pr. Sue and her husband, David, as they relocate to Texas and be with the congregation as they enter this time of discernment;
-- we celebrate with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Mercer Island) as they welcome their new pastor, the Rev. Rhonda Bostrom this 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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