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 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.

+ God of mercy, we ask you to renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of gun violence in our country — to prevent gun violence; attend to individuals, families and communities traumatized by it; advocate for common-sense gun safety laws; and care for the perpetrators of violent acts.

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 hold in prayer the family of Ruben Reyes (father of SALM Edward Reyes, serving at Hope, Lynden), following his death on July 16. Surround his family and friends in your loving care as they mourn. (Cards of care may be sent to Edward Reyes and Family c/o Hope Lutheran Church, 900 East Grover Street, Lynden, WA, 98264)

+ We hold in prayer the family of Rev. Paul Feiertag (retired) following his death on July 1st. Surround his wife Ingrid, and son Rev. Tim Feiertag (Trinity, Everett) with your peace and comfort them in these holy days.(Cards of care may be sent to Pr. Tim and Family c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 2324 Lombard Ave, Everett, WA  98201)

+ We hold in prayer the family of Susan Erickson (widow of Rev. Gerald Erickson) following her death on July 3rd. (A memorial service is planned for August 10 at 2pm at Advent Lutheran Church in Mill Creek. Cards of care may be sent to her family: Anne Green, 14030 121st. Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034)

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. Ron Melver, Rev. Ken Bakken, and Rev. Marjorie Lorant.

+ We lift up in prayer Rev. Mark Fischer's father-in-law, Kuniasu, receiving medical care in Japan. We hold Pastor Mark and spouse Chie in prayer as they navigate providing support across the world, while setting into their new home in the Pacific Northwest. Guide Kuniasu's medical team, and surround them all with your peace. (Pr. Mark recently began a new call to Bethlehem in Marysville.)

+ We continue to hold in prayer Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, who continues her recovery from Influenza, Bacterial Pneumonia, Viral Pneumonia and Sepsis. Loving God, provide comfort and peace as Bishop Shelley's breathing improves and as she continues to gain strength and health. (Bishop Shelley shares her gratitude for your prayers and well wishes - and your continued patience as she will not be back in the office for another week. Until the bishop has returned to work, please reach out to Tabetha in the synod office and she will direct your call to the best staff member for assistance (206-783-9292 / administrator@lutheransnw.org) .

+ 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.

+ We lift up all who are attending the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this week - including the MYLE, tAble, and Young Adult Gatherings. Bless them as they travel, worship, serve, learn, and play alongside other participants and those they meet along the way.

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

-- Northlake Lutheran Church (Kenmore) and their care pastor, Rev. Coe Hutchison and transition facilitator, Rev. Red Burchfield;

-- for Pacific Lutheran University;

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

-- the people and ministries of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Bill Tesch.

+ 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. Mark Reitan, Rev. Phil Reitz, and Rev. Linda Roddis.

+ 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 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.

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Direct permission is needed prior to inclusion. 

NOTE: We are making a TEMPORARY shift ... from a weekly prayer message to a MONTHLY message for August and September. (This will allow for Susan Berg, our Director of Communications & Events, to take some time off this summer/fall) If you would like an item included in the AUGUST or SEPTEMBER prayer message, please submit it to Susan@lutheransnw.org by dates listed below:

August prayer message - items due July 17 (will be emailed out on July 24)

September prayer message - items due August 22 (will be emailed out on August 28)

For emergent announcements and/or prayer requests during the summer, please contact our Synod Administrator, Tabetha Myatt (administrator@lutheransnw.org).

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