“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, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Venezuela…
For victims of storms and natural disasters, especially in Nepal, Indiana, Arizona, New York, and Texas; and for all facing extreme temperatures…
For urgency in addressing the perils of climate change…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Tuscon, Arizona…
For migrants who died at sea near the Canary Islands…
For immigrants and international travelers and workers…
For election officials in the United States and around the world…
For those who work, those who seek employment, and those who are retired…
Events & Observances:
September Observances: National Suicide Prevention Month
Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, bishop, renewer of the church, died 1872 (Sept 2)
International Day of Charity (Sept 5)
Labor Day (Sept 7)
Peter Claver, priest, missionary to Colombia, died 1654 (Sept 9)
Patriot Day (Sept 11)
Prayers from ELCA Resources:
A prayer for social justice (ELW p.79)
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for refugees, migrants, and immigrants (ACS p.51)
Holy God, as you have accompanied your people through times of captivity, wilderness, and exile, shelter and sustain all those who flee persecution, oppression, warfare, violence, hunger, and poverty. Open our hearts and homes, our gates and our doors, so that they find safety, peace, and welcome—a place to live in freedom and without fear, through Jesus Christ our refuge and our hope. Amen.
Prayer and worship resources for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 are available here.
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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.