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 celebrate new beginnings! This week we lift up Pr. Rachel Swenson (Grace, DesMoines) and her fiance Ryan Berman as they get married on Friday! We pray God's belssings as you begin this next step in your relationship!
+ We lift up those whose lives have been lost to gun violence. We hold in prayer the families of those murdered at a Buffalo, NY grocery store on Saturday: Aaron, Ruth, Kat, Pearly, Heyward, Celestine, Roberta, Margus, Andre, and Geraldine. 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 the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by the war in Ukraine — both the people inside its borders and the nearly 4 million who have left the country. 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;
+ We lift up Pr. Andy Yee (Synod Staff) and his family, following the death of his mother, Wonner Yee, on May 12.
+ We lift up Pr. Netsie Griffith (retired) and her family, following the death of her stepfather, Paul Lambeth, who died May 15.
+ 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:
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 those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ We are mindful that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We pray for people living with mental illness - and those who care for and support them. Encourage and strengthen all who work to improve access to mental health care. Enliven us to each combat the stigma of mental illness.
We pray for your church:
+ During this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we praise God for the Asian and Pacific Islander members, congregations, and ministries of our synod and the ELCA. We are grateful for God’s rich gifts of culture, language, and heritage. Continue to open our ears and eyes in the ways to welcome, honor, partner, and advocate for these beloved neighbors.
+ We pray for the youth, leaders, and presenters who will be traveling to the May Youth Weekend at Holden Village this coming weekend. May it be a time of joyful connections and beautiful learning.
+ 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 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:
-- Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (Renton) and their transition team: (Pr. Martha Myers & Pr. David Hahn, Supply; Pr. Heidi Calhoun, Transition Facilitator & Pastoral Care);
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Southwestern Texas Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Sue Briner.
+ WE are mindful that Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Sammamish has sold its building and merged with Our Savior Lutheran in Issaquah. We give thanks for the many years of God's mission and ministry in that place, through that congregation - and we give thanks for what God is doing anew. May this new partnership be a blessing to them and their community.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Cheryl Storey, Phil Strain, and Marc Stroud.
-- 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 Pr. Neil Vik and the congregation of Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Renton) as they share their final Sunday together this weekend. Blessings to Pr. Neil as he begins his retirement, and to the congregation as they begin a 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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