God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:

+ 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;

+ lead us as we move from this Lenten season through the Three Days to Easter Sunday - grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ 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 Synod Hunger Team, and for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.

+ 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 encouragement, wisdom and safety in their work.

+ 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, Global Refuge (formerly 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 remember in prayer our neighbors and siblings who are without safety, shelter, food or basic social services. Guide us to be tireless, creative and respectful in providing immediate and long-term care for those who are without homes or stable housing. Lead us to be bold in advocating for just laws that yield appropriate and truly affordable housing.

We pray for those who are grieving:

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

+ We lift up those who are suffering grief for family and friends lost in auto accidents. We lift up all who are mourning the tragic deaths of Andrea, Matilda, Eloise, and Buster - killed when their vehicle was struck by a high-speed driver in Renton on March 19. Surround their families and communities with your peace. (Including community/school connections with Synod VP Kay Edgerton and Cross and Crown Lutheran Church Preschool.)

+ We lift up all who mourn following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. May God comfort those who grieve, and strengthen all who respond in times of tragedy.

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Pam Miles (Pointe of Grace, Mukilteo) following the death of her father, March 17. 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 lift up those whose incomes have been reduced, those whose jobs have been suspended, and all who are facing unemployment or underemployment – across all industries, companies, and positions. Draw your people together in one supportive and loving community - advocating for and sustaining those who are struggling.

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, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Maynard Atik, and Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes), Raja and Ilyas (brothers to Ministry Candidate Nisar Stephen), and Rev. Marjorie Lorant.

+ We lift up Deacon Troy Faith Ward (retired) as her husband, Ron, continues on hospice care. Surround them with your comfort, love and peace.

+ We hold all who are making transitions to adult family homes, nursing homes, or assisted living centers - including Paul, husband of Rev. Susan Hookham (retired). May these moves provide care, comfort and security for those making the move and their families. (Our apologies to Susan & Paul - the original prayer message for this week listed his name incorrectly...)

We pray for your church:

+ 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.

+ We pray for programs and partners of the ELCA churchwide organization that support young adults as they grow in faith and discover who God is calling them to be in the world, including ELCA Young Adult Ministry, Young Adults in Global Mission, Young Adult Justice Network, Campus Ministry, and Outdoor Ministries.

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

-- Immanuel Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Priscilla Paris-Austin;

-- Josephine Caring Community (Stanwood) and Rev. Eileen Burdick;

-- for ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton who has returned to her post following a leave;

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

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon Dianne Johnson, Deacon Erv Johnson, and Rev. Laurie Johnson.

+ 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 - grant them patience, wisdom, and vision;

In this Lenten season, 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;

+ Guide us as we turn our selves, our hearts, our eyes to you;

+ 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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