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Weekly Prayer Message
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 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 hold Pr. Paul Kacynski (Roots fo the Table/Renton) and his family in prayer following the death of his uncle, Paul Stucky. Surround them with your love and peace. Cards of care may be sent to: 419 South 2nd Street, Suite 2, Renton, WA 98057.

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 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.
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:
+ 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 lift up all who will gather for our Synod Assembly this Saturday. Grant us wisdom in discernment, curiosity in where you are leading, and inspiration in the Spirit. We give thanks for those who are leading our time of worship and our business sessions. Grant them rest this week to lead well!

+ We hold in prayer our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - and its three expressions (congregations, synods, and churchwide): O God, you form all humanity to bear your divine image, and you intend for everyone to live together in harmonious dignity. We pray for all people, whether ourselves or others, who suffer the cruelties of racial or ethnic prejudice. Grant your Spirit of power to all who are oppressed. Give healing to victims of violence, protection to the vulnerable and abused, better housing and worthy employment to the mistreated, courage to the fearful, a remedy for rage, strength to parents and caregivers, and hope to children and youth. Purge the privileged of their sense of superiority, and lead church and society to foster communities of equity and diversity; through Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. Amen. (All Creation Sings, p. 50)

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders: 
-- Ebenezer Lutheran Church (Lake Stevens) and Pr. Lewis Benson;
-- Queen Anne Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Dr. Dan Peterson;
-- Religica; and Rev. Dr. Michael Trice;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Metro-Chicago Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Yehiel Curry.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Norris Swanson, Suzanne Thomas, and Larry Thomas.

+ 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;
-- we celebrate with Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (Arlington) as their pastor, the Rev. John Schraan, is installed this Sunday, June 5 at 2pm. May God continue to bless this new ministry partnership!
-- we hold in prayer Nativity Lutheran Church (Renton) as they hold their final worship service in their current building (vacating as they have partnered to provide senior housing on their land.) Bless the relationship between Nativity and Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (Renton) as they share worship and fellowship time over the next two years during the building project. May the new building project be a blessing for those who will call it home.
-- 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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Northwest Washington Synod / ELCA
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206-783-9292