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 broken, lost or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ 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 our world, nation, and local communities.
+ God of all people, we lift to you this nation. We pray for reconciliation and healing in this country. We pray for a way forward where all people are treasured and supported. Instill in us the strength and wisdom to join in your way of peace, justice and love.
+ 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.
+ We continue to be mindful of the recent racist graffiti at Grace Chinese Lutheran Church in Seattle. We stand with and hold these siblings and their pastors, Rev. Jimmy Hao & Rev. Wendy Cheung, in our prayers. We lift up the recent statement issued by our siblings of the Asian and Pacific Islander Association of the ELCA - addressing the increase in violence directed toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities ... and we pray: God of all, with wonderful diversity of languages and cultures you created all people in your own image. Free us from prejudice and fear, that we may see your face in the faces of our Asian siblings and people around the world; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. (Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship Occasional Services for the Assembly, p.398) (Find additional resources regarding this statement here and here.)
+ We lift up those communities where insecurity, violence, and fear are the norm. Help us to bring healing, wholeness, and safety to these siblings. Inspire our leaders and guide us to be better advocates for the sake of each member in our community - especially those who have little power and no voice.
+ We lift up Zion Lutheran Church, Ferndale, following the destruction of some of their sanctuary windows, the third incident of vandalism since the pandemic began.
+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us find sustainable solutions to end hunger and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ We pray for those places, people, and animals affected by natural disasters. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness: www.region1beprepared.org.
+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them wisdom and safety in their work.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Glen Aaberg, Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith, Nan Beth Walton, Pam Miles, and Ron Melver.
+ We lift up Pastor Malcolm Brown (Morningstar, Monroe) as he recovers from a full knee replacement surgery this last Monday.
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ We mourn with our fellow siblings as this pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods.. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed and recovering. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working to improve testing, creating additional vaccines, and providing effective vaccine distribution. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. Help us all to be wise and vigilant in our actions.
+ We pray for our neighbors who are fearful or in danger in their relationships. Sustain those who protect, support, and advocate for people who are experiencing domestic violence. (Reach out here for help: https://wscadv.org/get-help-now/)
+ We lift up those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Empower us to reach out to those who need care and support.
+ For those who are in despair, remember you are loved. You are never beyond God's mercy, grace, and love.
1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)
1-800-799-4889 (TTY)
1-877-574-4729 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+ under 24)
1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)
1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)
We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Loving God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.
+ We lift up Pastor Beth Eden (Lutheran Church in the San Juans) following the death of her mom, Phyllis, on Sunday March 14. May your Spirit provide comfort and peace. Cards of care may be sent to: 440 Franck Street; Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
We pray for your church:
+ As we continue our self-reflection during Lent, we ask God to help us look beyond ourselves and into the lives of people around us and in other nations, guiding us to actions of care and justice in the manner and name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and servant.
+ We celebrate the many years of service of our retired pastors and deacons. This week we give thanks for these retired rostered ministers: Martha Myers, Jan Nesse & George Nickelsburg.
-- We lift up those rostered ministers celebrating ministry milestones this month:
Pastor Malcolm Brown - 15 years!
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries, their lay & rostered leaders:
-- Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (Renton) and Pr. Glen Aaberg;
-- Queen Anne Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Pr. Dan Peterson;
-- Candidates for Ministry and the Candidacy Committee meeting this week;
-- the NE Ohio Synod, and their bishop, Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
-- we celebrate as Pastor Todd Wright is installed this Thursday as the Director of Pastoral Care at Bethany of the Northwest in Everett. We lift up Pastor Caitlyn Melillo (serves also at Seattle Children's Hospital) is also installed at Bethany NW as part-time chaplain. God bless these new ministry partnerships!
-- we welcome Pastor Steve Jerbi to our synod - an ELCA pastor, he began serving at University Congregational UCC church in February. God bless this new ministry partnership!
-- grant them wisdom and patience (especially in these challenging days) as they discern where it is that you are leading them;
-- we lift up the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff.
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.
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