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:

+ We pray for peace among the nations, our country, our families, and within our hearts.

O God, as war in the Holy Land rages, we pray:

For all trapped by blockades…

For all living in fear of attack…

For all in need of basic necessities and their safe transport…

For those who are hospitalized and all who provide care…

For all who search for safety elsewhere and are separated from loved ones…

For children surrounded by confusion and chaos…

For those consumed by the lure of terrorism and control, that they are filled with compassion for all people…

For the difficult work of diplomats, world leaders, and international organizations in this prolonged conflict …

For the longing of people of different faiths to live together peaceably…

For all grieving those who have died...

In your mercy we pray

(from ELCA Worship Resources)

+ 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. We lift up all who are living in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (Former UW Campus Pastor, Rev. Elizabeth Rawlings shares what it is like to be in the Asheville, NC area - and how we might care for our neighbors in this video.)

Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

+ 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 - 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 missing. We especially lift up college sophomore Sarafina, niece of Rev. Marc Hander (LCSNW, Bellingham). We pray for her safety and for her return home - soon. Surround her family with your hope and peace.

We pray for all 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 hold in prayer Rev. Tim Weber, PhD (shared-time minister at Saint Andrew's, Bellevue) following the death of his wife, Martha. (Cards of care may be sent to Pastor Tim Weber c/o Saint Andrew's, 2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.)

+ We lift up in prayer the family and friends of Roberta Nestaas, former President and CEO of Lutheran Community Services NW following her death on September 3. We give thanks to God for her wisdom, leadership, compassion, creativity, and care for neighbor. (Read a bit about Roberta's legacy here. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle on November 8 at 1pm.)

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. John LaMunyon, Rev. Lowell Knutson, Rev. Ken Bakken, and Rick Steves (partner of Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee).

+ We give thanks to God that Rev. Marjorie Lorant's (retired) cancer is in remission!

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Heidi Fish (Bethesda, Mountlake Terrace) as she heals from a recent hip replacement;

+ We hold in prayer the brother of Rev. Marillyn Schultz (Bethany of the Northwest, Everett) who is now receiving hospice care;

+ 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: 

-- for Burlington Lutheran Church (Burlington) and their pastor, Rev. Charis Weathers;  

-- for Morning Star Lutheran Church (Monroe) and their pastor, Rev. Malcolm Brown;

-- for Edmonds Lutheran Church's affordable housing project, Madrona Heights - as they gather for their ribbon cutting / open house on October 15 at 11am;

-- for Lutheran World Relief

-- for the boards of Pacific Lutheran University and Luther Seminary as they each gather in their meetings this weekend;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Western North Dakota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Rev. Craig Schweitzer.

+ 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. Darrell Schoen, Rev. Dan Selmann, Rev. Jane Shen, and Rev. Peter Shen.

+ 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;

-- Christ/ Ferndale has welcomed Rev. Leigh DeVries (PCUSA) as their new pastor - Rite of Beginning service will be 10/20 at 2pm. Rostered leaders please arrive by 1:30pm. Color of the day is RED. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- El Camino de Emaus welcomed Rev. Zulma Tifre (PCUSA) as their part-time mission developer - Rite of Beginning service will be 11/2 at 10am. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- 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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