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:

+ 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 the safety and well-being of all people living in the midst of fear and violence. We fervently pray for your Spirit's wisdom for our world leaders in this time to seek your way of peace.

+ 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 pray for those who are grieving:

+ We pray for people grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, that they will be comforted by God and know that, as members of the body of Christ and communities of faith, they are not alone in their grieving. Gracious God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.

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

+ We hold Rev. Marjorie Lorant (retired), Rev. Joanne Engquist (Gethsemane, Seattle) and Rev. Malcom Brown (Morning Star, Monroe) in prayer as they continue to recover from recent surgeries.

+ 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: 

-- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer Island, and their pastor, Rev. Rhonda Bostrom;

-- Alyce Bakker and Karen Dicken - the amazing duo of the Financial Services Office of Region One;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Allegheny Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Paula Schmitt.

+ We give thanks to God for rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of March. This month we celebrate with Rev. John O'Neal (40 years on March 11.) Thanks be to God for your gifts and compassionate heart!

+ 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. Susan Hookham, Rev. Jack Hustad, and Rev. Mikkel Hustad.

+ 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 celebrate with Our Redeemer's, Seattle, as they welcome their new pastor, Rev. Thomas Voelp, this week. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Installation date TBD);

-- we celebrate with First Lutheran in West Seattle, as they welcome their new pastor, Rev Bryon Hansen this week. God bless this new ministry partnership! (Installation date TBD);

-- we lift up Rachel San Diego as she prepares for ordination this Saturday. (Rachel has accepted the call to serve as one of the pastors at St. Matthew's in Renton. Ordination in San Mateo, CA on 3/9, and installation at St. Matthew's on 3/17 at 2pm)

-- 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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