“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 ongoing wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, and for an end to the violence…
For the nation of Haiti in the midst of rising violence…
For the families of those killed in Zhuhai China…
For those affected by wildfires on both the east and west coasts of the United States…
For Tuskegee University and those affected by the shooting on campus…
For vision, integrity, and humility for all elected leaders…
For collaboration and dedication to the common good in our national politics…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in November: National Veterans and Military Families Month, National Adoption Awareness Month, National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month
World Kindness Week (Nov 10 – 16)
World Kindness Day (Nov 13)
International Girls Day (Nov 14)
World Diabetes Day (Nov 14)
International Stand Up to Bullying Day (Nov 15)
Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231 (Nov 17)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for peace among nations (ELW p.76)
Gracious God, grand 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 prayer in time of conflict (ACS p.49)
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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.