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Let us pray:
God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:
+ Guide us to be your Compassionate People - grant us wisdom, courage, and creativity to be and share your Good News of love and peace in our homes, our communities, and our world.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ for wisdom and compassion for all leaders;
+ 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 your creation - lead us to be better stewards of the air, land, and water - and grant us wisdom in our prevention efforts, resourcing, and preparedness;
+ for those affected by the earthquake in Venezuela (support the relief effort here)
+ for all who are traveling this summer - grant them safety.
+ For our country as we celebrate Independence Day and Semiquincentennial. As we celebrate the history and independence of the United States - as well as the long history of Native Americans in North America before the birth of our nation - we pray for the wisdom and resolve we need to ensure freedom, justice and equity for all people — in our nation and around the world.
+ July is Disability Pride Month. We give thanks for the gifts, leadership and abilities of our neighbors and siblings in Christ who live with disabilities—about 42.5 million in our nation. We pray for the work of our congregations, community organizations, and these church partner organizations ELCA Disability Ministry, the Evangelical Lutheran Deaf Association, Lutheran Services in America Disability Network, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries’ Total Inclusion! Grant us wisdom and compassion as we address the inclusion, active participation and full involvement of people with disabilities in the life and leadership of the church and society.
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 Rev. Joshua Ng (Grace Chinese, Seattle) following the death of his beloved godmother, Mary Chooi. Surround him with your love and peace;
+ for those who are receiving comfort care or hospice care - may they feel your love - and trust in your promise of everlasting love.
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. Deb Butler, Joshua LaMunyon, son of Rev. John LaMunyon (retired,) Rev. Tim Whiteman (retired), Rev. Laurin Vance (Church Wellness Network); Jackie Nitz (wife of Rev. Ron Nitz and mother of Rev. Gina Herman), Deacon Marlys Waldo (retired) and Nancy Davis (widow of Rev. Chuck Davis);
+ we continue to lift up Rev. Maynard Atik (retired), receiving care related to his heart valve - may health and healing abound;
+ we lift up Rev. Hector Garfias-Toledo (Trinity, Lynnwood) as he recovers from ankle surgery - may health and healing abound!
+ We lift up as he receives care following hospitalization for a heart attack - may health and healing abound!
We pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
+ for Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Seattle) and their pastors, Rev. Joanne Engquist and Rev. Kari Lipke;
+ for Trinity Lutheran Church (Freeland on Whidbey Island) and their rostered ministers: Rev. Jim Lindus, Rev. Katrina Bentsen, and Deacon Amy Bingham;
+ for those youth and leaders who have been participating in the Western States Youth Gathering this last week;
+ for the new synod bishops participating in their formation gathering this week;
+ for those rostered ministers who will be heading to the Rostered Minister Gathering July 6-9 in Indianapolis - may their time be renewing and enlivening;
+ for the Virginia-Western Maryland Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Matthew Riegel;
+ for the New Jersey Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Christa Compton;
+ 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. Sarah France, Rev. Carl Gabrielson, and Rev. John Gienapp.
+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.
+ we lift up Immanuel Lutheran Church (Seattle) and Rev. Priscilla Paris Austin as they prepare for the conclusion of Pastor Priscilla's call (July 21). Surround the congregation, Pastor Priscilla, and her family as they enter this time of transition. Pastor Priscilla has accepted the call to serve as Assistant to the Bishop in the New Jersey Synod - bless her and as she prepares to move east. (Farewell gathering will be 7/19 at 3pm at Immanuel)
+ 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.
+ 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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NOTE ABOUT SUMMER PRAYER MESSAGE DISTRIBUTION
The prayer message will be sent on the first Wednesday of the months of July and August only.
During the summer months, please email office@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer request to include. Direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
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