“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 justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen…
For all victims of gun violence, especially at Florida State University and in Kashmir, India…
For our planet and the life it supports, for sustainability, and against earth’s exploitation…
For the memory and witness of Pope Francis, and for the Roman Catholic Church in this time of mourning and discernment…
For those fighting wildfires in New Jersey and for all threatened homes and habitats…
For those navigating earthquake aftermath in Istanbul…
For migrants, travelers, and those who are deported or detained…
For Christian unity in this Easter season…
For diversity of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities, and for the gifts of neurodivergence…
Events and observances:
April Observances: Arab American Heritage Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Autism Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month
Earth Day, Apr 22
Ridván (Bahá’í, Apr 20 – May 2)
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960, April 23
Mark, Evangelist, April 25
Catherine of Siena, theologian, died 1380, April 29
Philip and James, Apostles, May 1
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 (Apr 23)
Yom HaShoah (Judaism, Apr 23-24)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for a time of conflict, crisis, or disaster (ACS p.49)
Lord Jesus Christ, your own mother looked on when your life ended in violence. Our hearts are pierced with grief and anger at the mass shootings in Florida and India. We commend the slain to your wounded hands, and their loved ones to your merciful heart, trusting only in the promise that your love is stronger than death, and that even now, you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
A prayer for church unity (ELW p.73)
Most high and holy God, pour out upon us your one and unifying Spirit, and awaken in every confession of the whole church a holy hunger and thirst for unity in you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer attributed to Francis of Assisi (ELW p.87)
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 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.