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 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. May there be peace among nations. (Read ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton's Message on the war in Gaza HERE. For more information and resources see: For Peace in God’s World, ELCA social statement; Resources for the Crisis in the Holy Land (elca.org); and ELCA Sumud, which issues timely advocacy-action alerts)

+ 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 places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, fire, and storms. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. Help us to be engaged and generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

+ We remember in prayer those finishing high school, college, and seminary. We celebrate as they complete final exams, graduate, and lean into their next steps. We pray your Spirit will direct their gifts and passions into service to your church, your world, and their communities.

+ June is Pride Month, we give thanks for the gifts, wisdom, leadership, and faith of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and siblings in Christ. May your Spirit to embolden us to advocate for social, institutional, and legislative change that reflects justice, total inclusion, and God’s boundless love for humanity in all its diversity. (Find local Pride events - and Lutheran point people for some events - around our region here: https://www.lutheransnw.org/pages/pride)

We celebrate new birth!

+ We hold Pr. Rachel Swenson and her husband Ryan Berman (Grace, Des Monies) in prayer as they welcome their new baby, Riley. We give thanks for his ongoing good medical care following an early arrive. Surround them with hope and peace and joy as they navigate becoming a new family.

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.

+ We lift up Rev. Susan Hookham (retired) and her family following the death of her husband, Paul, on June 8. Surround them with your peace and hope. (A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 18th at 11am at Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Rd. Bellingham. Cards of care may be sent to Pr. Susan Hookham & Family at 3061 Kelly Road, Bellingham WA 98226.)

+ for those who have lost loved ones to violence - we are especially mindful of two shootings that ended the lives of two teens this week. 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 lift up those who journey with others in their grief - hospice workers, care providers, grief counselors, and pastors. Grant them wisdom and strength as they provide support and care.

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. Ken Bakken, Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes), Rev. Marjorie Lorant, Rev. Mark Kindem (brother of Rev. Erik Kindem), Rev. Thomas Voelp, and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis). 

+ We lift up in prayer Synod Vice President Kay Edgerton's father, Pete Hoscon, recently hospitalized with congestive heart failure. Provide your comfort and healing.

+ We pray for those people for those who are experiencing depression, anxiety, loneliness, and grief. Help us be mindful of ways we may care for them - reminding them of your love and grace.

+ We pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse and addictions. We pray for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. We pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, and stumbling.

+ 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 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 lift up the congregations of our synod as they face change and challenges - in the culture, in their leadership, in their attendance, in their capacity, in their vitality. Help us look to you for guidance, encouragement, and hope.

+ We give thanks to God for these newly elected synod bishops and pray for a smooth transition as they begin serving this summer: Rev. Vivian Davila – Caribbean Synod; Rev. Martin Halom, Northwest Wisconsin Synod; Rev. Timothy Graham , Indiana-Kentucky Synod; and Rev. Nathan Pipho, New England Synod. We hold the people of the Grand Canyon Synod in prayer as they gather this weekend to elect their bishop.

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

-- for Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Marysville) their care minister, Callie Moothart and for their newly called pastor who is preparing to arrive in July - Rev. Mark Fischer;

-- for Lutheran Volunteer Corps;

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

-- for the Grand Canyon Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Deborah Hutterer

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we lift up in prayer these retired ministers: Deacon Pat Moylan, Rev. Martha Myers, and Rev. Jan Nesse.

+ 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.