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;

+ help us to forgive as you forgive;

+ 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 share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ 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 plead that you renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of gun violence in our country — to prevent gun violence. Guide us as we attend to traumatized individuals, families, and communities. Embolden us to advocate for common-sense gun safety laws.

+ We pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (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 who are without home or shelter. We lift up the ministries in our synod working to help create and provide better access to shelter and care.

We pray for those who are grieving:

+ We pray for people grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, that they will be comforted by God and know that, as members of the body of Christ and communities of faith, they are not alone in their 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 (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Paul Feiertag, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and Rev. Ron Melver.

+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.

We pray for your church:

+ God of Peace, as the busyness of the Advent and Christmas seasons begins, help us focus on you in these holy days. (Find the Advent devotional from Church of Steadfast Love HERE.)

+ 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: 

-- First Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon, and Rev. Ryan Rouse;

-- St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bellevue, and Rev. Mark Griffith;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and their bishop, the Rev. William Gafkjen.

+ We give thanks to God for these rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of November. Thanks be to God for your gifts and compassionate hearts!

Rev. Herb Shao (25 years on Dec. 13)

Rev. Lewis Benson (35 years on Dec. 4)

Rev. Phyllis Anderson (45 years on Dec. 10)

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. Thanks be to God for the ways you continue to support ministers and ministries in your settled communities. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Jocelyn Carson, Deacon Jan Cherry, and Rev. Isaiah Chow.

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.

-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: legacy planning teams, transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;

-- we pray for Pr. JP Paxton and the congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Swans Trail in Snohomish in their new ministry partnership. (Installation will be Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2pm at 5511 64th Street SE, Snohomish.)

-- 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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