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;

+ 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 joyfully share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ March is Women’s History Month. We give thanks for women throughout history and in our lives who have shared their gifts and leadership with the church and society, raised and cared for us, inspired us and nurtured our faith, and fought for justice, equity and inclusion. We pray for women everywhere who suffer injustice, demeaning stereotypes, violence and poverty - that they will not lose hope but will be delivered from their suffering and persecution to live freely and boldly. May we rise to bring this about!

+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, and fires. 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.

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by war, violence, and climate. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches. 

(Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service) www.globalrefuge.org.

+ We lift up in prayer the people of Haiti, who have suffered multiple natural disasters in recent years and are now experiencing civil and political unrest and violence. Surround them with your care, inspire us to respond with love in action.

+ We lift up those who have survived hate crimes - and those whose lives have been lost. We ask God to renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of racism, homophobia, hate, and violence in our country. May we be makers of peace through our words, actions, and advocacy.



+ We pray for all first responders, firefighters, police, national guard members, and EMTs. We give thanks for their ministry of care for others in moments of great danger and difficult crisis. God, grant them wisdom in their actions and keep them safe.

We pray for those who are grieving:

+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.

+ Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are struggling in their relationships. We pray for comfort and healing for those who are mourning the end of a relationship.

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Pam Miles (Pointe of Grace, Mukilteo) following the death of her father, Sunday evening. God of grace, surround Pastor Pam and her family with your love and care. (Cards of care may be sent to her c/o Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church; 5425 Harbour Pointe Blvd.; Mukilteo, WA 98275.)

+ We lift up in prayer the family of Rev. Chris Berry (retired), former Campus Pastor at Western Washington University, as they grieve his death on March 14. Hold all who mourn his death in your arms of care and grant them peace. (A memorial service is planned for 2pm on Friday, April 12 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham. Cards of care may be sent to: Deenie Berry & Family; 884 St Andrew's Way; Bellingham, WA 98229)

+ We lift up the family of Helen Hustad following her death on March 7, including her husband, Rev. Jack Hustad, and son, Rev. Mikkel Hustad. Enfold all who mourn her in your love and care - and the hope of your promise of new life in you. (Memorial service date TBD at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach, Shoreline.) 

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. Malcolm Brown, Raja and Ilyas (brothers to Ministry Candidate Nisar Stephen).

+ We hold Rev. Marjorie Lorant (retired) in prayer as she continues to heal from surgery and works with her medical team to discern next steps.

+ We pray for all who are facing health challenges that keep them homebound. May your love flow through us as we visit and support them.

+ We pray for those who are experiencing memory loss and dementia, their loved ones, and those who provide care. May your love and peace provide comfort.

We celebrate new life!

+ We give thanks for new life as Rev. Malcolm Brown (Morning Star, Monroe) welcomes new grandson, Colin - born to daughter Emily (former synod council member) and her husband, Rob, and big brother, Elliot. Welcome to God's family, Colin!

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.

+ We lift up the anti-racism teams in our congregations - and those who are in process of developing such teams - grant them wisdom and endurance in their efforts to educate and make changes within their communities. We hold in prayer our synod's Strategic Team for Authentic Diversity as they seek to provide leaders with education and resources that enable us to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our congregations, and the wider church.

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries:

-- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Everson, and their pastor, Rev. Esau Benitez-Cuevas;

-- Interns who are learning & serving in our synod this year: Bobbi Cyr and David Horton;

-- for the Synod Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Assessment Team as they begin their work this Saturday;

-- for all who in our synod who are preparing worship and fellowship events in these Holy Days;

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

-- for the Upper Susquehanna Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Craig Miller.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Stan Jacobson, Rev. Bruce Jenkins, and Rev. Carol Jensen.

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.

-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: 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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