“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: Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Syria, Mali, Pakistan, Yemen…
For those affected by the measles outbreak, and for all children at risk for disease and malnutrition around the world…
For astronauts who explore the vastness of the cosmos, and for safe return of astronauts from the International Space Station…
For areas of the United States affected by storms, tornadoes, and blizzards…
For victims of the Honduran plane crash…
For libraries, museums, schools, and all institutions that empower curiosity and education…
For those monitoring earthquakes on the Mount Adams volcano in south-central Washington state…
For medical researchers and all who advance public health through the development of treatments, cures, and safe vaccines…
Events and observances:
March observances: Ramadan (Islam, Feb 28-Mar 31), Women’s History Month
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)
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Mar 25)
Epilepsy Awareness Day (Mar 26)
Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980 (Mar 24)
Annunciation of Our Lord (Mar 25)
Hans Nielson Haude, renewer of the church, died 1824 (Mar 29)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for faith and science (ACS p.48)
God of mystery, you made the universe with its marvelous order and chaos, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures. We give you thanks for all who study the mysteries of creation and ask that their work may increase our curiosity, wonder, and joy, that we may come to know you more truly and serve you more humbly; in the name of Jesus Christ, your Wisdom and your Word. Amen.
Prayer of the Day for Annunciation (ELW p.55)
Pour your grace into our hearts, O God, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ, announced by an angel, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; for he lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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.