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 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.
+ Our hearts are heavy this day as we grieve the loss of our sister in Christ, Pastor Deb Benson, who died yesterday (March 2) at home. God of comfort, wrap your loving arms around her husband Pastor Lewis Benson (Ebenezer, Lake Stevens), their daughters Kathryn & Kayla, and their extended family. As we mourn the loss of this friend and colleague, we trust in your promise of life everlasting - and we give thanks for Deb's many years of gracious and grace-filled leadership. Cards of care may be sent to: The Benson Family; 3915 Ridge Way; Mount Vernon, WA 98273. (Find her Caring Bridge page here.)
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.
+ 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, Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith, Nan Beth Walton, Pam Miles, and Ron Melver.
+We pray for healing and renewed strength for Pastor Lowell Knutson (retired), recovering from a recent hospital visit;
+We lift up Gwen, mother of Pastor Deb Mach (Holy Cross, Lake Stevens), as she recovers from knee surgery and post-operative complications;
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ We mourn 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 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 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: Stephen Luttio, Phil Maakestad, and Don Maier.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries, their lay & rostered leaders:
-- Church of the Apostles (Seattle) and Pastor Ivar Hillesland and Pastor Katherine GrayBuck;
-- Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church (Mukilteo) and Pastor Pam Miles;
-- the N/W Lower Michigan Synod, and their bishop, Rev. Craig Satterlee;
-- 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 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.
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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