Keep watch, O God, over all who continue to be affected by the severe winds this week. Surround those who have lost loved ones with your peace. Sustain those who have damaged homes with your hope. Keep safe those who are without power. Watch over those who work to repair electrical lines and restore us to connectedness. Encourage those who are able to help, to reach out to their neighbors with care.

God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:

+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;

+ remind us who and whose we are - we are your beloved children, called to share that love with our neighbors far and wide;

+ 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 be and share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, and fires. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. We continue to be mindful of those areas where tornados have rampaged the land and people's lives. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence, 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, Global Refuge, and our partners and companion churches. 

+ We pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support new neighbors through Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge - www.globalrefuge.org/blog/resources/congregational-resources/)

+ We pray for all first responders, firefighters, police, national guard members, and EMTs. We give thanks for their ministry of care for others in moments of great danger and difficult crisis. God, grant them wisdom in their actions and keep them safe.

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 Rev. Sara Funkhouser (Luther Memorial, Seattle) following the death of her grandmother, Lorraine Tyberg on Nov. 18;

+ We lift up the family of Jing-Xiaor Lee (father of Rev. Wendy Cheung and grandfather of Rev. Will Cheung) following his death on Nov. 16;

+ We lift up the family of Rev. Paul Wietzke following his death in September. We give thanks for his 98 years of life, his gracious sharing of the Word, and his many years of ministry. (Find Rev. Wietzke's obit here)

+ Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are struggling in their relationships. We pray for comfort and healing for those who are mourning the end of a relationship.

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. Ron Melver, Rev. Lowell Knutson, Rev. Don Cornell, and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis). 

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Anja Helmon (on leave from call, currently living in Mexico) as she continues to recover from a knee surgery last week. May health and healing abound!

+ 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 those who are experiencing memory loss and dementia, their loved ones, and those who provide care. May your love and peace provide comfort.

We pray for your church:

+ 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 Synod's many BIPOC leaders and ask for strength, courage and blessing as they continue to navigate the systemic racism present in our church. (For information on our Synod's Racial Equity and Reparation Fund and how to contribute, go HERE.)

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries:

-- for Celebration Lutheran Church (Anacortes) and their pastor, Rev. Deb Butler;

-- for Nativity Lutheran Church AND Cross and Crown Lutheran Church - as they celebrate their new ministry under the name Living Hope Lutheran Church in Renton; we lift up in prayer their leadership teams and their pastor, Rev. Heidi Calhoun;

-- for the worship and music leaders around the synod;

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

-- for the South Dakota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Constanze Hagmaier.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers and the ways they continue to live into God's future: Rev. Conrad Tollefson, Rev. Kirby Unti, and Rev. John Vaswig.

+ 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 Grace Chinese Lutheran Church as they welcomed their new pastor Rev. Joshua ChanFoo Ng this last weekend on 11/17;

-- we lift up in prayer the synod staff as they welcome our new Associate Director fo Evangelical Mission, Edward Milton Moncivaiz this week - God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we hold in prayer Rev. JT Burk and the congregation of Prince of Peace (Shoreline) as they share their final Sunday together this weekend. Bless Pastor JT as he begins a new call in the SW Washington Synod - and grant wisdom and peace to the Prince of Peace members as they begin this time of pastoral transition;

-- 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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