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:
+ Guide us to recognize our prejudices and empower us take action to eliminate the persistent institutional racism that permeates our world, country, communities, courts, church, and hearts. Help your church to be an open and welcoming place for all. (Learn more with the ELCA European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice Facebook page and website.)
+ March 31 is International Transgender Awareness Day, help us recognize, affirm, and celebrate our transgender and nonbinary siblings. Inspire us to advocate for their full humanity and dignity. May we continue to be guided by God's love and compassion as we seek justice and equality for everyone.
+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war and violent conflict in our world. 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, 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.
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 all in the community at Covenant School - a Presbyterian school in Nashville, Tennessee - following a mass shooting on Monday when 9-year-old students - Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs - and school staff - Cynthia Peak, Mike Hill, and Katherine Koonce - were murdered. God of compassion, enfold those who mourn into your arms; comfort those who live with the fear that this could happen to them; lead us to solutions to eliminate these mass shootings.
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, Deacon Nan Beth Walton, Jim (brother of Rev. John LaMunyon), Rev. Wendell Hendershott, Rev. Ron Melver, Gina (spouse of Rev. Scott Peterson), and Rev. Philip Maakestad.
+ 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:
+ As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we hold in prayer all who lead us in worship and activities; grant them creativity, wisdom, and endurance.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Oregon Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon Sharon Lone-Browder, Rev. Marjorie Lorant, and Rev. Delmas Luedke.
-- 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 Christ Lutheran Church (Ferndale) and Rev. Jana Schofield as they share their last days in ministry partnership this week - we pray for all in this time of transition (Rev. Schofield has accepted a call to serve at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham beginning April 30);
-- 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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