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:
+ We lift up those whose lives have been lost to gun violence. We ask God to renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of racism, hate, and gun violence in our country. May we be makers of peace through our words, actions, and advocacy. (Learn more about the ELCA's social message Community Violence and the resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence.")
+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by the war in Ukraine — both the people inside its borders and those who have fled the country. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)
+ 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 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 who 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:
Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, Brenda Kidd (wife of Pr. Tom Kidd), and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ We pray for continued healing for Pr. Larry Olsen (retired) following open heart surgery this last week.
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
We pray for your church:
+ During this PRIDE Month, we give thanks for the gifts, wisdom, and faith of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer neighbors and siblings in Christ. We ask the Spirit to stir and embolden us to better advocate for laws, practices, values, and institutional and social change that address injustice, bias and exclusion. May the contingency of NWWA Synod marchers in the upcoming Seattle Pride Parade (and other parades throughout our territory) be a sign of love, acceptance, and celebration. We give thanks for the support, resources, and leadership of our partners at ReconcilingWorks and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.
+ We pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring rest and renewal for them, for their families, and their congregations. We give thanks for those who are stepping into pulpit supply, pastoral care coverage, and leadership roles to support these important leave-taking endeavors.
+ We pray for the creative and collaborative ministries across the synod and country that accompany and serve neighbors in need through community gardens, meals, food pantries, homeless shelters, counseling, disaster response, neighborhood renewal, day care for children and adults, educational opportunities, and connecting volunteers with ecumenical partners and community organizations.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- for the synod bishops of Region One as they gather in retreat this week. Grant them space to collaborate, rest, and renew: Bp. Shelley Wickstrom - Alaska Synod; Bp. Laurie Jungling - Montana Synod; Bp. Laurie Larson Caesar - Oregon Synod; Bp. Rick Jaech - Southwestern Washington Synod; Bp. Kristen Kuempel - Northwest Intermountain Synod; and Bp. Shelley Bryan Wee - Northwest Washington Synod.
-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Southeastern Iowa Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Amy Current.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon Troy Faith Ward, Rev. Richard Wendt, and Rev. Thomas Wert.
-- 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;
-- we lift up Sara Funkhouser who will be ordained and installed as the new pastor at Lutheran Memorial Lutheran Church (Seattle) this Saturday, June 25 at 3pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!
-- we lift up Pr. Matt Zelie and the congregation of Behtlehem Lutheran Church (Marysville) as they share their final Sunday together this weekend. Bless Pr. Matt and the congregation as they begin this time of transition and listen to where you are leading;
-- we lift up the synod staff as they seek to welcome a new administration ministry partner;
-- 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.
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