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;
+ 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 joyfully share your Good News.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ We lift up those whose lives have been lost to gun violence. We ask God to renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of racism, hate, and gun violence in our country. May we be makers of peace through our words, actions, and advocacy. (Learn more about the ELCA's social message Community Violence and the resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence.")
+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those directly impacted by the war in Ukraine. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)
+ 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 generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness with our regional partners at www.region1beprepared.org.
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;
+ Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are struggling in their relationships. We pray for comfort and healing for those who are mourning the end of a relationship.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, Brenda Kidd (wife of Pr. Tom Kidd), and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ We lift up Deacon Le Brandes (on leave from call) as she journeys with her family members: for her mother, Helen, who is struggling with healing following a recent surgery for cancer; and for Le's husband, Garry, as he recovers from pneumonia and prepares for a cardioversion next week to help his heart return to a normal sinus rhythm;
+ 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 our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring rest and renewal for them, for their families, and their congregations. We give thanks for those who are stepping into pulpit supply, pastoral care coverage, and leadership roles to support these important leave-taking endeavors.
+ 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:
-- for all who are preparing for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Ohio August 8-12, including Pr. Joanne Engquist (Gethsemane/Seattle) who serves on the ELCA Church Council and our synod's voting members: Bp. Shelley Bryan Wee, Synod VP Kay Edgerton, Rev. Esau Cuevas, Eli Daheim, Curt Eidem, Frankin Lulan, Laura Sasaki Norton, Kasey Shultz, and Rev. Rachel Swenson. (Learn more about the Churchwide Assembly here.)
-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and their bishop, the Rev. Laurie Skow Anderson.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Arnold Anderson, Rev. William Anderson, and Rev. Richard Anderson;
-- 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 lift up Pr. Eric Wangen-Hoch and the congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Sedro Woolley) as they share their final Sunday together this weekend. Bless Pr. Eric as shifts to serving as a counselor for those in drug & alcohol treatment - and bless the congregation as they begin this time of transition and listen to where you are leading them;
-- 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.
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