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 war. We pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance, and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches. (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. We are mindful of the fires in our state and beyond, Typhoon Nanmadol in Japan, Hurricane Fiona hitting Puerto Rico, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Taiwan, and a severe storm in Alaska. 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;
+ We remember in prayer the family of Ruth Smith (widow of Rev. Don Smith) who passed away this last weekend. (A memorial service is being planned for December 23. Memorial donations directed to ELCA World Hunger. Cards of care may be sent to their children in care of: Mark Smith - 5628 181st Pl SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037.)
+ 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 Rev. Eric Griffith), Deacon Nan Beth Walton, Rev. Paul Feiertag, Rev. Mikkel Hustad, Rev. Ron Melver, and David Hillesland, father of Rev. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ We pray for Rev. Chris Boerger (retired) as he prepares to undergo hip replacement surgery on Friday. May health and healing abound.
+ 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:
-- for our synod's LiVE Project as they begin fall courses tonight (learn more / register HERE);
-- for those who will gather on Saturday for our synod's Sacred Spaces event (learn more / register HERE);
-- for Pacific Lutheran University community and for the PLU Corporation meeting for their annual meeting online today, including the nine member representatives from our synod: Rev. Tim Feiertag, Emily Hughes, Susan Lindsay Berg, Rev. Marjorie Lorant, Missy Maxson, Rev. Ryan Rouse, Rev. David Schoeld, Carmen Unti, and Liz Wallace;
-- for those traveling in Chicago for the ELCA Mission Developers Gathering;
-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the Northeastern Ohio Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Dr. Laura Barbins.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Gerald Bongard, Rev. Donald Brekhus, and Deacon Cliff Bronson.
-- 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 Rev. Leslie Mahraun and The Hearthstone (Seattle) as she is installed as the Director of Spiritual Services next Tuesday afternoon 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.
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