“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.
Looking to July 4: Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Prayer prompts:
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For an end to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For the 250th anniversary of the United States…
For liberation and freedom, especially for those facing oppression…
For health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat, storms, and wildfires…
For continued relief and rescue work following earthquakes in Venezuela…
For victims of political violence in Greece…
For grieving families of children killed in a Pakistani roof collapse…
For communities impacted by gun violence, especially in Stade, Germany; Berlin, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; and for the aftermath of threats of gun violence in Henderson, Nevada…
For all who have experienced abuse or trauma in the church or by its members…
For accessible and affordable mental and behavioral health care for all…
Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month
Peter and Paul, apostles (June 29)
Canada Day, Canada (July 1)
Thomas, apostle (July 3)
Independence Day, USA (July 4)
Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
James, apostle (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for a national holiday (ELW p.63)
Lord of all the worlds, guide this nation by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give to all our people the blessings of well-being and harmony, but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer in time of conflict, crisis, or disaster (ACS p.49)
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
—
The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Worship resources in a time of war
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.