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 be and share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ Especially during this Black History Month, we give thanks for the gifts, accomplishments, influence, and witness of our African-descent neighbors and siblings in Christ—we stand together to glorify God as partners in the gospel, doing God’s work in the world together. Though unified as siblings in Christ, we ask God to lead us to individual and community reflection and action in pursuit of racial justice, socioeconomic equity, racial reconciliation and an end to hatred and mistrust. (Watch the weekly ELCA African Descent Talks on elca.org/talksatthedesk for gems & words of wisdom - 1st episode drope tonight at 5:30pm)

+ We lift up those in our midst who will be celebrating with family and friends the Lunar New Year on February 10. May these celebrations be joy-filled and may the coming year be Spirit-led.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of all people living in the midst of fear and violence. We fervently pray for your Spirit's wisdom for our world leaders in this time to seek your way of peace.

+ We pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support our new neighbors through Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge - formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - globalrefuge.org)

+ 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.

+ 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:

+ We pray for people grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, that they will be comforted by God and know that, as members of the body of Christ and communities of faith, they are not alone in their 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 Synod Treasurer Bart Brosten, following the death of his mother, Betty;

+ We lift up the family of Janice "Jan" Sorenson (widow of Rev. Rubin Sorenson) following her death this last Friday. (Memorial service will be February 24 at 2pm at University Lutheran Church, Seattle)

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), Rev. Erik Kindem, Raja and Ilyas (brothers to Ministry Candidate Nisar Stephen).

+ We hold Rev. Marjorie Lorant (retired) as she prepares for surgery later this month;

+ 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 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.

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

-- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Snohomish, and their pastor, Rev. JP Paxton;

-- St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Renton, and Rev. Kacey Hahn, ministry candidate Bobbi Cyr, and soon to be ordained Rachel San Diego;

-- for Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville as they celebrate their 125th anniversary this weekend;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Christopher deForest.

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

Deacon Susan Franke (15 years on Feb. 8)

Rev. Netsie Griffith (15 years on Feb. 28)

+ 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. Penelope Guntermann, Rev. Anne Hall, and Rev. Tom Hamren.

+ 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. Kevin Beebe who has accepted the call to serve as Executive Director at Camp Lutherwood - God bless this new ministry partnership! (Installation is Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3pm at the Camp)

-- we lift up Rachel San Diego who has accepted the call to serve as one of the pastors at St. Matthew's in Renton, and begins serving today. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Ordination in San Mateo, CA on 3/9, and installation at St. Matthew's on 3/17 - time TBD)

-- 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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