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. 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 - 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 celebrate the gift of marriage:

+ We joyfully celebrate with Deacon Luke Allgeyer (UW Medical Center) and Sam Luikens as they were married this last weekend. God bless you in your life together!

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 lift up Rev. John Kim (Lakeridge, Seattle) following the death of his mother, Hyo Jeong. Surround Pastor John and his family with your love and care. (Cards of care may be sent to Rev. John Kim c/o 7465 S. 112th St., Seattle, Washington 98178)

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. Ken Bakken, and Rev. Marjorie Lorant.

+ We hold all in prayer who are undergoing cancer treatment. This week we lift up Rick Steves (Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee's partner) as he undergoes surgery for prostate cancer this Friday. May all people who are impacted by cancer feel God's love and healing power.

+ We lift up Rev. John LaMunyon (retired) as he recovers from recent emergency neurosurgery and a follow up angioplasty. May health and healing abound.

+ We lift up Rev. Lowell Knutson (retired) as he receives home hospice care. We hold in prayer his wife, Shirley, and their children as they care for him and his symptoms of Parkinson's disease. (They family also rejoices that this last spring Shirley & Lowell celebrated their 95th birthdays and their 73rd wedding anniversary.)

+ 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 our synod's Sacred Spaces event this Saturday - may it be a time of exploring and listening to where the Spirit is leading (more info here);

-- for Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Sedro Woolley) and Rev. Wilma Reyes, their pastor in ecumenical partnership with Central United Methodist and St. James Episcopal.  

-- for all pastors and deacons in their first three years of ordained ministry - as they gather with other clergy from around region one at their retreat this week - may they be sustained and nurtured in their callings;

-- for Compass Housing Alliance;

-- for Lutheran World Federation;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni.

+ We give thanks to God for rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of OCTOBER. This month we lift up and celebrate with:

Rev. Halcyon Bjornstad (5 years on 10/5) - serving at Lord of Life, Renton

Rev. Harry Grinstad (20 years of 10/23) - retired

Rev. Wendy Cheung (20 years on 10/17) - serving at Grace Chinese, Sammamish

Rev. Deb Butler (25 years on 10/19) - serving at Celebration, Anacortes

Rev. Everett Arnold (55 years on 10/19) - retired

View the Anniversary Video shown at the synod assembly, celebrating the 2023 and 2024 milestone anniversaries of our synod's rostered ministers HERE.

+ 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. Cindy Salo, Rev. Dennis Schaffert, and Deacon Bette Schneider.

+ 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 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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