“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 peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For families of those killed in airstrikes at rehab center in Afghanistan…
For University of Kent students, staff, and families facing a meningitis outbreak…
For extreme heat across areas of the United States…
For all impacted by natural disasters, especially those facing historic wildfires in Nebraska…
For the energy crisis and blackouts in Cuba…
For communities grieving violence, especially Old Dominion University in Virginia and Temple Israel in Michigan…
For TSA workers and airport travelers…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For all affected by rising fuel and food costs and access…
Events and observances:
March Observances: Women’s History Month, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, National Social Work Month
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883;renewers of society (Mar 10)
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604 (Mar 12)
International Day Against Police Brutality (Mar 15)
St. Patrick’s Day (Mar 17)
Joseph, guardian of Jesus (Mar 19)
Eid al Fitr (Islam, Mar 20)
Thomas Cranmer, Bishop of Canterbury, martyr, died 1556 (Mar 21)
Jonathan Edwards, teacher, died 1758 (Mar 22)
Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980 (Mar 24)
Annunciation of Our Lord (Mar 25)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for remembrance of the faithful departed (ELW p.82)
Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the chronically ill and those who support them (ELW p.85)
Loving God, your heart overflows with compassion for your whole creation. Pour out your spirits on all people living with illness for which there is no cure, as well as their families and loved ones. Help them to know that you claim them as your own and deliver them from fear and pain; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our healer 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.