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 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 wisdom from world leaders in this fraught time.

+ December 18 is International Migrants Day. We pray for those who, with great risk and uncertainty, have left their home countries and familiar surroundings to seek welcoming communities where they feel safe, respected and free to reestablish their lives and raise their families.

+ 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: Abi (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Paul Feiertag, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and Rev. Ron Melver.

+ We pray for those people for whom the holiday season stirs depression, loneliness and grieving. Help us be mindful of ways we may care for them - reminding them of your love and grace.

+ 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 give thanks for all who are preparing and leading worship in these Holy Days of Advent and Christmas - grant them creativity, energy, and peace in their work.

+ 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 lift up those who will be celebrating Las Posadas (Dec. 16-24) - we give thanks for this tradition of Las Posadas, which recalls Mary and Joseph’s Nativity journey and is observed in parts of Latin America and in some Latino communities in the United States.

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

-- for First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (Seattle) and their leadership team;

-- for University Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Andy Flatt-Kuntze;

-- for the ELCA Church Council as they gather this weekend;

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

-- for the Northwestern Ohio Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Daniel Beaudoin.

+ 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. Tom Christensen, Rev. Roger Claxton, and Rev. Michael Clifford.

+ 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 lift up Rev. JP Paxton and the congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Swan's Trail in Snohomish as Pastor JP is installed as their new pastor this Sunday, December 17 at 2pm. God bless this new ministry partnership! (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.