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:
+ 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. Help your church to be an open and welcoming place for all. (Learn more with the ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice Facebook page and website.)
+ 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 https://www.ldrwest.org/.
+ We give thanks for the beauty, diversity, and giftedness of each of your created people. Thursday is Non-Binary Awareness Day and we are mindful of our siblings who identify as non-binary, agender, genderqueer, bigender, two-spirit, and more. Encourage us to show grace, welcome, and honor to these beloved siblings. (Learn more about non-binary here; learn more about using pronouns as a way to welcome here.)
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 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 Rev. Eric Griffith), Deacon Nan Beth Walton, Rev. Ron Melver, Brenda Kidd (wife of Rev. Tom Kidd), and David Hillesland, father of Rev. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ 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 pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- Faith Lutheran Church (Bellingham) and Rev. Harry Grinstad, Transition Facilitator, and their Care Pastor Team Members: Rev. Emma Donohew, Rev. Netsie Griffith, and Rev. Wendell Hendershott;
-- we lift up the Evangelical Outreach Team of our Synod;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- Northern Great Lakes Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Katherine Finegan.
+ We pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring a sense of 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 give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Lou Accola, Rev. Mike Anderson, and Rev. Rita Anderson.
-- 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 Rev. Paul Eldred and the congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Bellevue) as they conclude their ministry together. Bless Pr. Paul as he prepares to begin his new call at Central Lutheran (Seattle) in August, and Holy Cross as they begin their time of transition.
-- 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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