“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 those caught in the midst of warfare and conflict, especially in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Haiti, Russia, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For those attending or participating in the Democratic National Convention, and for all leaders in government…
For any countries experiencing political unrest and turmoil, especially Bangladesh…
For the care, safety, and well-being of women and girls around the world…
For those in the path of Hurricane Ernesto…
For the northeastern United States in the midst of record flooding…
For healing and protection in the wake of a new COVID variant and the Mpox virus…
For those experiencing extreme heat throughout different regions…
Events and observances:
August Observances: National Black Business Month, National Immunization Awareness Month
Bartholomew, Apostle (Aug 24)
Women’s Equality Day (Aug. 26)
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, died 430 (Aug 28)
Moses the Black, monk, martyr, died around 400 (Aug 28)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the neighborhood (ELW p.78)
God our creator, by your holy prophet Jeremiah you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for preserving and healing creation from exploitation (ACS p.47)
Holy Spirit, you move through all creation with sighs too deep for words. Open our hearts to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Speak through your church to rebuke the forces that seek to exploit your planet. Join our human prayers with the voices of all creation and move us to honor you by preserving the gifts of nature that reveal your glory. 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.