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:

+ During this Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) we thank God for the history, contributions, and rich cultural diversity of our Latino siblings. We give thanks for the many gifts shared by our rostered and lay Latino leaders in our synod. We pray for the growth and vitality of ELCA Latino Ministries, the Latino Ministries Association (Asociación Luterana de Ministerios Latinos ELCA) and the 147 ELCA Latino ministries around the country, including Iglesia Luterana El Camino de Emaús (El Camino de Emaús in Burlington) in our synod, as they work to share the gospel, encourage unity in Christ, fight racism and promote Christian values that unite Latinos of the ELCA in a “community of communities” to do God’s work in the world.

+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, winter snow storms, and fires. 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.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence and climate . We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)

+ 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.



+ We pray for all first responders, firefighters, police, national guard members, and EMTs. We give thanks for their ministry of care for others in moments of great danger and difficult crisis. God, grant them wisdom in their actions and keep them safe.

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 Jeri Hanson and family following the death of her husband, the Rev. Dennis Hanson (retired) on September 19. We give thanks for Dennis and his many years of ministry faithful leadership and partnership. (Service planned for October 1 at 2pm. Cards of care may be sent to Jeri Hanson c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 97, Freeland, WA 98249.)

+ 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: Rev. Conrad Tollefson, Abi (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Paul Feiertag, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Philip Maakestad, Deacon Sharon Lone Browder, and Deacon LaVonne Johnson.

+ We hold in prayer John Helmon (spouse of Rev. Anja Helmon - on leave from call), as he undergoes treatment for stage 4 melanoma. Grant him strength and hope. May health and healing abound.

We pray for your church:

+ We give thanks for and celebrate with Rev. Paul Ko (Seattle Covenant Community Church - our Korean mission-start), his spouse Miri, and their daughter Esther as they have completed the naturalization process and are now officially U.S. Citizens.

+ 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.

+ 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 hold in prayer our synod's Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity as they seek to provide leaders with education and resources that enable us to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our congregations, and the wider church. (Be sure to check out and register for their upcoming Nov. 4th training HERE.)

+ We lift up the Sierra Pacific Synod and Rev. Jeff Johnson following his election to serve as their next bishop. May God bless this new ministry partnership!

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders: 

-- Edison Lutheran Church (Bow) and Rev. John Guthridge;

-- Roots of the Table (Renton) and Rev. Paul Kacynski;

-- for those who will gather for the LiVE Retreat this Saturday;

-- for our Synod's Team Russia, Children, Youth & Family Leaders, Nominating Committee, First Call Ministers, and Cluster Deans as they gather this week;

-- for all who are gathered in Phoenix for the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering;

-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;

-- for the Central/Southern Illinois Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Dr. Greg Busboom.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. David Wold, Rev. Lou Accola, and Rev. Arnold Anderson.

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.

-- 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;

-- may your Spirit guide our call process for a new Director for Evangelical Mission for our synod;

-- we pray for congregations discerning their future sustainability and legacy options;

-- 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. 

Email susan@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer petition or update.

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