“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 justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For all affected by political violence, and for healing for our divided nation…
For all impacted by gun violence, especially the families of those killed in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Alabama, and Oman…
For relief and recovery efforts following severe storms and tornadoes in the midwestern United States…
For those living in areas of extreme heat, especially those who lack adequate shelter…For children and youth who are being detained as part of mass arrests in El Salvador…
For student protests in Bangladesh…
For Muslims as they observe Ashura…
For youth, adult leaders, staff, volunteers, and all who have traveled to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering…
Events and observances:
July Observances: Disability Pride Month
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566 (Jul 17)
Mary Magdalene, Apostle (transferred) (Jul 22)
Birgitta of Sweden, renewer of the church, died 1373 (Jul 23)
James, Apostle (Jul 25)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the mission of the church (ELW p. 75)
Draw your church together, O God, into the great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for peace among the nations (ELW p. 76)
Gracious God, grant peace among nations. Cleanse from our own hearts the seeds of strife: greed and envy, harsh misunderstandings and ill will, fear and desire for revenge. Make us quick to welcome ventures in cooperation among the peoples of the world, so that there may be woven the fabric of a common good too strong to be torn by the evil hands of war. In the time of opportunity, make us be diligent; and in the time of peril, let not our courage fail; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A set of worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land is available on ELCA.org. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings. PDF DOC
A set of worship resources for national elections is available on ELCA.org. Scripture readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions are offered, to be used in settings such as prayer vigils, Morning or Evening Prayer, regular weekly worship or personal devotion in the weeks preceding or following an election. PDF DOC
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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.