“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 an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, Thailand, Cambodia, Colombia, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Ethiopia…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…
For business owners and leaders, facing increased costs and challenges…
For victims of flooding and landslides in Vietnam and Thailand…
For police officers and military personnel…
For immigrants coming to the US to escape violence in their countries of origin…
For those without a home or secure housing and those who serve them…
For those seeking meaningful work and all who are unemployed, underemployed, or retired…
For students transitioning to college and for the staff and faculty who care for them in these spaces, especially at our ELCA Colleges and Universities…
Events and observances:
August Observances: International Peace Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month, National Black Business Month, National Immunization Awareness Month
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, died 430 (Aug 28)
Moses the Black, monk, martyr, died around 400 (Aug 28)
Labor Day (USA, Sept 1)
Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church, died 1872 (Sept 2)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for cities (Occasional Services for the Assembly)
Gracious God, bless our cities and make them places of safety for all people, rich and poor. Give us grace to work for cities where neighborhoods remain vibrant and whole. Where the lost and forgotten in society are supported, and where the arts flourish. Make the diverse fabric of the city a delight to all who live and visit there and a strong bond uniting people around common goals for the good of all; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer in time of conflict, crisis, disaster (ELW)
Lord Jesus Christ, your own mother looked on when your life ended in violence. Our hearts are pierced with grief and anger. 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.
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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.