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.)

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence, natural disasters, and climate. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, 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, storms, and wildfires. 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 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, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Maynard Atik, and Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes).

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Erik Kindem (Peace, Seattle) as he recovers from a car accident last Wednesday.

+ We lift our prayers for Janice Sorenson (widow of Rev. Rubin Sorensen) as she receives hospice care at Ida Culver House Broadview.

+ We hold in prayer Ministry Candidate Nisar Stephen whose older brothers, living in Pakistan, are experiencing major health concerns: for brother Raja as he recovers from recent heart attack and surgery; and for brother Ilyas as he prepares to undergo surgery for a tumor in his pancreas.We hold Nisar in prayer as he navigates emotionally and financially supporting them from afar.

+ 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.

988 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)

1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)

1-800-799-4889 (TTY)

1-866-488-7386 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+)

1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)

1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)

We pray for your church:

+ For Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee and other leaders from around the ELCA who are gathered this week to visit Border Servant Corps. Bless this ministry as they accompany asylum seekers on the border of Mexico and the U.S.

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

-- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Lynnwood) and Rev. Gail Rautmann and Deacon Dustin Hamren;

-- Trinity Lutheran Church (Lynnwood) and Rev. Hector Garfias-Toledo and Rev. Jenna Bergeson (currently on medical leave);

-- for Lutheran Counseling Network as they gather for their annual meeting this Sunday;

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

-- the Upstate New York Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Lee Miller II.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Netsie Griffith, Rev. Harry Grinstad, Deacon Carolee Grumm, and Rev. Stephen Grumm.

+ 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 - grant them wisdom and patience in this process.

-- we lift up Rev. Esau Benitez-Cuevas and the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Everson - as he is installed as their new pastor on Sunday (Feb. 4 at 2pm; ministers invited to process - color of the day is green; reception to follow; 5782 Lawrence Road in Everson);

-- 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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