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:

+ During this Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) we thank God for the history, contributions, and rich cultural diversity of our Latino siblings. We give thanks for the many gifts shared by our rostered and lay Latino leaders in our synod. We pray for the growth and vitality of ELCA Latino Ministries, the Latino Ministries Association (Asociación Luterana de Ministerios Latinos ELCA) and the 147 ELCA Latino ministries around the country, including Iglesia Luterana El Camino de Emaús (El Camino de Emaús in Burlington) in our synod, as they work to share the gospel, encourage unity in Christ, fight racism and promote Christian values that unite Latinos of the ELCA in a “community of communities” to do God’s work in the world.+ 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.

+ Our prayers continue for the fear, loss, and devastation in war-torn areas of our world. May a wise peaceful path be found and followed soon. We pray for all who are in danger and all who have had to flee their homes. We pray for those families who have lost loved ones. Loving God, may your peace reign.

+ 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:

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

+ We lift up the family of Rev. Michael Lee Meier following his death on September 25. We give thanks for his many years of ministry - including serving on the Region One Staff in the area of Stewardship Education in the 1990's. (Cards of care may be mailed to his wife: Toni Meier; 4650 SW Hollyhock Cir Apt 132; Corvallis OR 97333-1599. A Celebration of Life service is planned for November 19, at 2pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis. Read more here.)

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) and Deacon LaVonne Johnson.

+ 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:

+ We pray for guidance for the future of your church. Let your Spirit lead us in our discernment. (Learn more about the ELCA's Future Church: God's Love Made Real and participate in the conversation by October 17.)

+ As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” this Sunday, September 10, we give thanks for the opportunity to draw closer to our neighbors and embrace them as children of God, listening with respect and empathy and responding to their needs.

+ 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.

+ We lift up our neighbors in the Northwest Intermountain Synod as they officially install their new bishop, the Rev. Dr. Meggan Manlove this weekend. God bless this new ministry partnership!

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

-- El Camino de Emaus, Burlington, and Rev. Josh Stromberg-Wojcik;

-- Salem Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon, and Rev. Doug Stensby as he concludes his Transition Ministry time - and for Lori Cavender who will be ordained on 11/4 to serve as their new pastor;

-- for our synod' s Mission Developers as they gather today;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Western Iowa Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Lorna Halaas.

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

Rev. Zachary Courter (5 years);

Rev. Julie Josund & Rev. Scott Kramer (30 years)

Rev. Larry Olsen (40 years)

+ 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. Richard Anderson, Rev. Rita Anderson, and Rev. Terrie Anderson.

+ 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 lift up Rev. Judy Brennan and the Synod Staff as she begins her call this week as one of our synod's Directors for Evangelical Mission (read about Judy here)

-- 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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