“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, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Grand Blanc, MI and Dallas, TX…
For rescue and recovery efforts following an earthquake in the Philippines…
For rescue and recovery efforts follow a school collapse in Indonesia…
For safety amidst protest in Morocco and Madagascar…
For all migrants and global travelers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care, clean water, and sufficient food…
For those who serve in the military…
For the health and flourishing of creation…
In thanksgiving for the ministries of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Yehiel Curry…
Events and observances:
October Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15), Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, LGBT History Month
Durga Puja, Hinduism (Sept 28-Oct 2)
Jerome, translator, teacher, died 420 (Sept 30)
National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools (Sept 30)
Yom Kippur, Judaism (Oct 1-2)
Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226 (Oct 4)
Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, died 1864 (Oct 4)
William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536 (Oct 6)
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787 (Oct 7)
Sukkot, Judaism (Oct 7-13)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (ELW)
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.
A prayer for those in affliction (ELW)
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. 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.