“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 areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, and violence, especially Ukraine, Palestine, and South Sudan…
For ongoing ceasefire and release of hostages in the Middle East…
For victims of a passenger train attack and hijacking in Pakistan…
For areas of political transition or turmoil, including Greenland, Syria, the Philippines, and Portugal…
For an end to discrimination, harassment, and bullying…
For students who rely on free and reduced-cost school meals…
For all farmers, especially on small and local farms…
For all modern prophets and truth-tellers who boldly declare God’s justice for the poor, the vulnerable, and the outcast…
For all suffering measles, RSV, and long Covid…
For gifts of education, research, science, and medicine, that build up the common good…
Events and observances:
March observances: Ramadan (Islam, Feb 28-Mar 31), Women’s History Month
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604 (Mar 12)
National Girl Scout Day (Mar 12)
Purim (Judaism, Mar 13-14)
Holi (Hinduism, Mar 14-15)
Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461 (Mar 17)
Joseph, Guardian of Jesus (Mar 19)
Thomas Cranmer, Bishop of Canterbury, martyr, died 1556 (Mar 21)
Jonathan Edwards, teacher, missionary to American Indians, died 1758 (Mar 22)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who suffer abuse and violence (ACS p.53)
Mighty Jesus, living Word, soothe the bodies, souls, and minds of the victims of [abuse and violence of all forms]. Bring them peace, hope, comfort, and strength. Bring abusers to justice and prevent them from causing further harm. Stir up the heart of your church gathered here and around the world, that we value justice and healing over silence and shame. Show us the way to your righteousness, led by the voices of those who suffer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A prayer for times of financial stress (ACS p.55)
O God, be with farm families in times of economic insecurity. Give farmers courage when stressed to their limits by the challenges of weather, economic policies, reduced income, and increased debt. Guard them against the feelings of failure or despair. Grant them rest, peace, and a supportive community as they labor upon the land you have entrusted to us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections
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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.