“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, conflict, and uncertainty especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, and Venezuela…
For an end to violence and especially political violence…
For protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those evacuated and displaced by landslides in Sicily…
For those targeted by violence at the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City…
For all facing winter weather and storms, especially those still without power…
For newly-confirmed Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally…
In memory and commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Challenger disaster…
Events and observances:
January Observances: National Blood Donor Month, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Poverty in America Awareness Month, Mental Awareness Month
February Observances: Black History Month, Boy Scout Anniversary Week (Feb 1-7), American Heart Month
Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith (Jan 27)
Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274 (Jan 28)
Presentation of Our Lord (Feb 2)
Ansgar, Bishop of Hamburg, missionary to Denmark and Sweden, died 865 (Feb 3)
The Martyrs of Japan, died 1597 (Feb 5)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for interreligious cooperation (ACS)
God of creation, we give you thanks for our wonderfully diverse human family. We pray for the well-being of all people, including our neighbors of other religions and worldviews. Grant that, together with them, we will find ways to cooperate for the common good of all, as you desire. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A prayer for those in civil authority (ELW)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, bless public servants in the government of our nation and states, that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Help them use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
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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.