“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 protection, compassion, and dignity for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For strained diplomatic relations between nations in the United States, Canada, and Cuba…
For victims and all affected by the Tahoe avalanche…
For areas of the nation affected by winter storms…
For victims of gun violence, especially recent shootings at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia and a youth hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island…
For all who are impacted by high winds and wildfires across the Plains…
For those preparing for baptism at Easter and for their sponsors…
For the spiritual renewal of all participants and teachers undertaking new faith formation studies this Lent…
For the convergence of holy days and celebrations this week – the beginning of Lent, the beginning of Ramadan, and the Lunar New Year…
Events and observances:
February Observances: Black History Month, American Heart Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, Ramadan
Ramadan (Islam, beginning eve of Feb 17)
Lunar New Year (Feb 17)
Ash Wednesday (Feb 18)
Martin Luther, renewer of the church, died 1546 (Feb 18)
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156 (Feb 23)
Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, died 1921 (Feb 25)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those in diaconal ministry (ELW p.73)
God of compassion, your Son came among us not to be served but to serve. We give you thanks for the women and men whom you have called to the diaconal ministry of word and service [especially name/s ]. Give them faith to serve you with gladness; sustain them with a living hope, especially in the time of despair; and kindle in them your love, so that they see in every neighbor the face of Jesus Christ, our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A prayer for interreligious cooperation and understanding (ACS p.51)
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.
—
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
—
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.