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God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:
+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;
+ remind us who and whose we are - we are your beloved children;
+ sustain us when we are feeling weary, broken, lost, or afraid;
+ reform in us what needs reforming;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ inspire us to take action to seek justice for our neighbors;
+ grant us wisdom, courage, and creativity to be and share your Good News in the midst of anxious and frightening days.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ for your beautiful creation - guide us to be wise caretakers;
+ for those who have been affected by storms, fires, and earthquakes - and for those who work to protect, respond, and help with recovery; we lift up those communities where recovery and rebuilding continues from the heavy rains and floods;
+ for those who are in a personal conflict - lead us to listen, help us to be heard, and guide us as we tend to mending and strengthening our connections;
+ for those who have been targeted and live in fear because of racism, homophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, and sexism;
+ for those who are unemployed, under-employed, or concerned their job is at risk;
+ for those who are unhoused - and those whose living situation is unstable;
+ for those living in or fleeing from areas impacted by violence - we pray for lasting peace between nations and for the healing of people who suffer conflict - in so many areas of our world, country and communities;
+ for the nations of this world; for the leaders of this world; for the innocent caught in crossfire; for softening of hearts; for the love of all neighbors; for listening and caring; for wisdom and courage; for peace between all peoples - Kyrie Elieson.
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 family of Louise Urness (widow of Rev. Nyer Urness - who served as Compass Center chaplain from 1989 to 2006) We give thanks for her life - and pray comfort for her family as they mourn. (We will share memorial service details when they become available.)
+ We continue to hold in prayer the family and friends of Rev. Walt Rice who died Dec. 14. (Walt served in our synod prior to moving to Indiana - we have received word that his memorial service will be held April 11 at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw.)
+ We pray for those whose lives have been lost due to gun violence. 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; and advocate for common-sense gun safety laws. We lift up the victims, families, and community of the school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
+ We continue to pray for our neighbors who are living in fear of arrest and deportation. We pray for those who are participating in public witness through advocacy, protest, or other solidarity actions. (Find an ELCA worship resource for blessing and sending for public witness you can use in your setting HERE.)
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Pam Miles, Rev. Deb Butler, Joshua LaMunyon, adult son of Rev. John LaMunyon (retired,) and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis);
+ We lift up Curt Hahn, father of Rev. David Hahn (synod staff), following a recent hospitalization. Surround Curt, his family, and his caregivers with your peace as they navigate next steps in his decline and struggles through dementia and Parkinson's.
We pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- for Living Hope Lutheran Church (Renton) and their pastor, the Rev. Heidi Calhoun;
-- for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (SeaTac) and their pastors, the Rev. Sam Sseba and Rev. Al Berg
-- for synod lay leaders who will gather for Lay Ministry Formation this weekend, may their time be filled with learning and inspiration: Millie Fosberg (Burlington Lutheran), Lorraine Ohman (Living Hope, Renton), Carol Voss (Pointe of Grace, Mukilteo), Chris Davis (Hope, Lake Stevens), and Rachel Pritchett (Bethany, Bainbridge Island);
-- for the Synod Hunger Team;
-- for Global Refuge - and for those who will gather for learning this weekend at the Rebuilding After Repatriation program this Saturday at Our Savior's, Everett;
-- for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Dr. Tracey Breashears Schultz;
-- for our companion synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia and their bishop, the Rev. Sergei Holzwert.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. Thanks be to God for the ways they continue to support ministers and ministries in their communities. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Laurin Vance, Rev. John Vaswig, Rev. Neil Vik and Rev. Sacia Vik.
+ 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.
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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Email susan@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer petition or update.
Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
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