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:

+ As election results unfold, we continue to pray for our country. Lead our hearts with your justice, that we would commit to making decisions and taking actions based on the needs of the poor and oppressed in our midst and our stewardship of all that you have made. Open the minds of all in our country - espeically our elected leaders - that they too will, show concern for the marginalized and compassion towards those in distress. Help us see and be present for those who are disheartened, anxious, angry, or afraid. Surround us with your peace, O Lord. (You are encouraged to participate in the Synod-wide Election Week Online Prayer Vigil which continues today at noon and 7pm through Saturday – find the Zoom links - and other in-person gatherings HERE.)

+ Creator God, we give thanks for your amazing creation. Lead us to be better stewards of the air, land and water. We pray for refreshing and nourishing rain as we enter the season of wildfires. Grant us wisdom in our prevention efforts, resourcing, and preparedness - and keep your people safe. (consider joining our online preparedness webinar with Ray Shjerven of Lutheran Disaster Response on Nov. 14.)

+ 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 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 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 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. Lowell Knutson, Rev. Don Cornell, Jing-Xiaor Lee (father of Rev. Wendy Cheung and grandfather of Rev. Will Cheung), and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis). 

+ 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 Central Lutheran Church (Everett) and Rev. Jim Killough; 

-- for Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and Rev. Jeffrey Spencer;

-- for Paths to Understanding and Rev. Terry Kyllo;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Amy Odgren.

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

Rev. Chelsea Globe (10 years on 11/15) - serving at Lutheran Campus Ministry at UW

Rev. Darla DeFrance (20 years on 11/13) serving at Columbia City Church of Hope, Seattle

Rev. Doug Stensby (40 years of 11/25) - retired

Rev. Mike Swain (40 years on 11/18) - retired

Deacon Sharon Lone Browder (40 years on 11/18) - retired

and

Rev. Anna Rieke (10 years on 11/22) - Blessings to her as she has begun a new call - to Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, Arizona.

+ 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. Phillip Strain, Rev. Marc Stroud, and Rev. Paul Stumme-Diers.

+ 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 synod pastoral candidate, Callie Moothart, as she prepares for ordination on Nov. 16 at 4:30pm. She has accepted the call to sesrve as pastor at Christ Lutheran in Federal Way. God bless this new ministry partnership! (ordination will be at Mount Cross in University Place, clergy invited to process, color of the day is red, reception to follow.)

-- 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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