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

+ This is National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 10-16). We lift up all who struggle with depression and suicidal ideation. We pray for hope, relief from suffering, and access to skilled and compassionate care. May the Spirit move us to see and respond to the people around us and to engage in and support suicide-prevention efforts. (Read recent Living Lutheran article featuring Suicide Prevention Services co-founder Sherry Bryant here)

+ 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. 

+ 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 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 engaged and 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 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, and Deacon Sharon Lone Browder.

+ We give thanks for Deacon LaVonne Johnson's successful surgery (double bypass surgery with an aortic valve implant.) May her recovery be swift and complete and may health and healing abound.

+ We pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse and addictions. We pray for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. We pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, and stumbling.

+ We pray for all who are facing health challenges that keep them homebound. May your love flow through us as we visit and support them.

We pray for your church:

+ We lift up all who are in attendance at the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Krakow, Poland this week (Sept. 13-19), including our synod's own Rev. Penelope Guntermann and Rev. Michael Clifford. May the theme of the assembly reign, "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope."

+ We lift in prayer Fir-Conway Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon as they celebrate 135 years of ministry on Sunday. Thanks be to God!

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

-- Echoes (Bellingham) and Rev. Emma Donohew;

-- Synod Finance Committee, Bishop's Convocation Planning Team and Synod Council as they each gather this week;

-- for our Cultivate project as they nurture organic faith communities in the synod - this week we lift up those leading and participating in the Sacred Spaces event at Lutherwood. (learn more here);

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

-- the Northern Illinois Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Stacy Fidlar.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we lift up in prayer these retired ministers: Rev. Nancy Winder, Rev. Bob Winkel, and Rev. Tim Wolbrecht.

+ 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 Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Renton) as they install their new pastor, the Rev. Halcyon Bjornstad on Sunday 9/17 at 1:30m. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we lift up our partners at Compass Housing Alliance and Camp Lutherwood as they discern and identify their next executive directors.

-- 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.