“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
Prayer Prompts:
For all those affected by war and armed conflict around the world, especially in Iran, Gaza, Ethiopia, Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Myanmar…
For victims of building collapse in Brooklyn, NY…
For peaceful resolution to the general strike in Spain and for all places of ongoing protest and demonstration…
For all impacted by extremist violence…
For smooth transitions of power following national and international elections…
For wisdom for all elected officials…
For nation of Paraguay in the midst of economic and political uncertainty…
For veterans and all military personnel…
Events & Observances:
November Observances: Indigenous Peoples’ Month (National Native American Heritage Month), Transgender Awareness Month, Men’s Mental Health Month, National Adoption Month
Martin, Bishop of Tours, died 397 (Nov 11)
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, died 1855 (Nov 11)
Veterans Day-USA/Remembrance Day-Canada (Nov 11)
Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231 (Nov 17)
Prayers from ELCA Resources:
A prayer for those in the armed forces (ELW)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer concerning prejudice, racism (ACS)
Good and gracious God, you invite us to recognize and reverence your divine image and likeness in our neighbor. Enable us to see the reality of racism and free us to challenge and uproot it from our society, our world, and ourselves. Amen.
A variety of worship resources related to the recent national election season are available here.
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ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement
Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.
Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession
Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.