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 those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our Synod Hunger Team and our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad. (Check out the ELCA's Global Farm Challenge HERE.)
+ 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 the safety and well-being of those impacted by the war in Ukraine; we 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. We pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, members of the National Guard, disaster response volunteers, relief agencies, and neighbors who respond to individuals and communities in times of severe weather and natural disaster. 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 grieve for the lives lost to human smuggling in San Antonio, TX. We pray for the restoration to health of those who are hospitalized. We pray for all who are victims of human trafficking, for all who are desperate for a better a life. God of love, still our hearts with your compassion and radical welcome; inspire us to make necessary changes to ensure safety and dignity for all.
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), Pr. Larry Olsen, and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
We pray for your church:
+ We pray for all who are planning, leading, and participating in VBS, day camps, summer camp, and servant trips. May these opportunities be safe, inspiring, and filled with your Spirit of love.
+ 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.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Western Iowa Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Lorna Halaas.
+ We give thanks for the many years of many year of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Tim Whiteman, Rev. Paul Wietzke, and Rev. Nancy Winder.
-- 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 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.
+ + + + +
Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
+ + + + +
