God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:

+ 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:

+ October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - we lift up victims and all those it impacts. We pray for their protection and healing. Guide us in our work to care and advocate for our neighbors.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of all beloved people living in the Holy Land, including our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Shelter all living in fear; protect those seeking refuge; sustain families separated from one another; heal those who are injured; comfort all who mourn their dead. We fervently pray for your Spirit's wisdom for our world leaders in this time.

+ 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 meeting this week, and for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.

+ 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 encouragement, wisdom and safety in their work.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those impacted by war and violence; 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. (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, storms, and wildfires. 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.

We pray for those who are grieving:

+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love, peace, and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.

+ We hold in prayer the family and friends of Deacon Nan Beth Walton as they gather for her celebration of life service this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2pm at Faith, Seattle.

+ We lift up those whose incomes have been reduced, those whose jobs have been suspended, and all who are facing unemployment or underemployment – across all industries, companies, and positions. Draw your people together in one supportive and loving community - advocating for and sustaining those who are struggling.

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, John (spouse of Rev. Anja Helmon), Deacon LaVonne Johnson, and Rev. Deb Butler (Celebration, Anacortes).

We pray for your church:

+ 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 the upcoming Nov. 4th training HERE. open to all, register by Oct 26)

+ We pray for programs and partners of the ELCA churchwide organization that support young adults as they grow in faith and discover who God is calling them to be in the world, including ELCA Young Adult Ministry, Young Adults in Global Mission, Young Adult Justice Network, Campus Ministry, and Outdoor Ministries.

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

-- Faith Lutheran Church (Everett) and Rev. Pam Karas;

-- Seattle Covenant Community Fellowship (Seattle) and Rev. Paul Ko;

-- those who serve as chaplains in various ministry settings in our synod: Rev. Todd Wright, Rev. Caitlyn Melillo, Rev. Marillyn Schultz, Rev. Eileen Burdick, Deacon Susan Franke, Rev. Sara Funkhouser, Rev. Mary Bosell, Rev. Mia Baumgartner, and Deacon Luke Allgeyer; (please email Susan if she missed someone!)

-- for the rostered ministry candidates of our synod and the Candidacy Committee;

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

-- for the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and their bishop, the Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Robert Beicke, Rev. Paul Benz, and Rev. Stan Berntson.

+ 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 - grant them patience, wisdom, and vision;

-- we celebrate with Kent Lutheran and Rev. Tormod Svensson as he is installed as their new pastor this Saturday, October 28 at 4pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we lift up Grace Chinese Lutheran Church and Rev. Jimmy Hao as he prepares to retire. Bless their final service together this weekend and may your Spirit guide them as they enter this transition;

- we lift up Advent Lutheran Church and Rev. Scott Postlewait as he prepares to retire. Bless their final service together this weekend and may your Spirit guide them as they enter this transition;

we lift up Deacon Dianne Johnson as she prepares to retire at the end of the month (Gratitude celebration is 2pm-4:30pm on Sunday, October 29 at First, Bothell);

-- 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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