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 those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, storms, and wildfires. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. We pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, members of the National Guard, disaster response volunteers, relief agencies, and neighbors who respond to individuals and communities in times of severe weather and natural disaster. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

+ 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 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 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 the friends and 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 will be this Saturday, June 8 at 11am 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, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Ken Bakken, Ruben (father of SALM Edward Reyes), Rev. Marjorie Lorant, Rev. Mark Kindem (brother of Rev. Erik Kindem) and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis). 

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Thomas Voelp (Our Redeemer's, Seattle) following a serious car collision over the weekend. We pray for him as he continues to heal and regain strength. (NOTE: Pr. Voelp's installation service was scheduled for this Friday evening has been postponed until he is further along in his recovery process. We will share that new date when it is scheduled.)

+ 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: 

-- Bethesda Lutheran Church and their pastor, Rev. Heidi Fish;

-- Maple Leaf Lutheran Church (Seattle) and their pastor, Rev. Julie Blum;

-- for Lutheran Peace Fellowship;

-- for those gathering at the synod's Lay Ministry Formation event on Saturday;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Pacifica Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Dave Nagler.

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

Rev. Katy McCallum Sachse (25 years on 6/20)

Rev. Neil Vik (35 years on 6/11)

Rev. Ron Moe Lobeda (40 years on 6/17) (now rostered in the Sierra Pacific Synod)

Rev. Thom Wert (45 years on 6/17)

Rev. John Lindsay (50 years on 6/9)

Rev. Don Brekhus (55 years on 6/29)

Rev. Richard Edmonds (55 years on 6/15)

Rev. Dick Wendt (60 years on 6/14)

Rev. Lowell Knudson (70 years on 6/27)

View the Anniversary Video shown at the synod assembly, celebrating the 2023 and 2024 milestone anniversaries of our synod's rostered ministers HERE.

+ 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. Carl Moll, Deacon Estelle Morely, and Rev. Valinda Morse.

+ We give thanks for the gift of sabbaticals - for rest, renewal, study, and inspiration. We lift up those rostered ministers and their congregations who are undertaking sabbatical times this summer.

-- We lift up all synods gathering this weekend for an assembly; especially those who will be holding bishop elections: New England Synod, June 6-8; Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, June 7-8; Caribbean Synod, June 7-8; Indiana-Kentucky Synod, June 7-9.

+ 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 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.

+ + + + +

Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion. 

Email susan@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer petition or update.

+ + + + +