“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 Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For those grieving civilian deaths and US service member deaths in Iran…
For all travelers stranded in the Middle East…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Wayne County, Utah and Austin, Texas…
For elections and and all government transitions…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and WIC benefits, Social Security, and other forms of public assistance…
For all who face legislative challenges to their civil rights, especially transgender individuals…
For peace, wisdom, and compassion in the world…
Events and observances:
March Observances: Women’s History Month, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, National Social Work Month
National Employee Appreciation Day (Mar 6)
Perpetua and Felicity and companions, martyrs at Carthage, died 202 (Mar 7)
Daylight Saving Time (Mar 8)
International Women’s Day (Mar 8)
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883;renewers of society (Mar 10)
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604 (Mar 12)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for peace (ACS)
You calm and quiet us, eternal God, as a mother holds her children close; all people have refuge in the shadow of your wings. Spread over us the shelter of your peace. Hold before us the wisdom of your cross, where we are drawn to you not by might or power, but by your boundless love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer in time of civic distress (ACS)
God, our help and comfort, accompany our nation in this time of uncertainty and loss. As we grieve, assure us of your unfailing presence; as we seek direction in the days ahead, guide us by your wisdom. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and 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 in a time of war
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.