“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 peace in our world, especially in Gaza and Israel, Ukraine and Russia, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar, Lebanon, and all areas of conflict…
For renewed commitments to de-escalation and diplomacy between nations…
For the work of the COP19 biodiversity summit and for increased global commitment to halt and reverse nature loss…
For Nobel Peace Prize awardee Nihon Hidankyo and for the organization’s activism against nuclear weapons, and for all survivors of the atomic bomb…
For continued relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton…
For safe and easy access to early voting locations, and for safety for all election workers…
For all physicians, medical personnel, and health care professionals…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in October: Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15), ADHD Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, World Bullying Prevention Month, LGBT History Month
Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer of the church, died 1582 (Oct 15)
Sukkot (Judaism, eve of Oct 16-Oct 23)
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, died around 115 (Oct 17)
Luke, Evangelist (Oct 18)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
Prayer of the Day for Luke, Evangelist (ELW):
Almighty God, you inspired your servant Luke to reveal in his gospel the love and healing power of your Son. Give your church the same love and power to heal, and to proclaim your salvation among the nations to the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our healer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS):
Gracious God, we pray for our public servants, that they do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus’ name we pray.
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.