“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, Gaza, Yemen, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and Myanmar…
For the state of Hawai’i in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell…
For immigrant communities across the United States…
For the wildfires in Indonesia and all those affected by natural disasters…
For the families of 24 children killed in a school fire in east Congo…
For casualties following a cargo ship fire in eastern China and a ferry fire in the Philippines…
For the United States as it commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11…
Events & Observances:
September Observances: National Suicide Prevention Month
Peter Claver, priest, missionary to Colombia, died 1654 (Sept 9)
Patriot Day (Sept 11)
Rosh Hoshana (Judaism, Sept 12)
John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, died 407 (Sept 13)
Holy Cross Day (Sept 14)
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyr, died around 258 (Sept 16)
Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179 (Sept 17)
Prayers from ELCA Resources:
A prayer for faithful living in society(ACS)
God, our gracious giver, your Son Jesus taught us that where our treasure is there our hearts will be also. Teach us to love people more than money, relationships more than things, and you above all, that the way we live will reflect what we truly value and believe. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who emptied himself in love for us, and now reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
A prayer for commerce and labor(ELW)
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Guide us with your justice in the workplace, so that we may never value things above people, or surrender honor to love of gain or lust for power. Prosper all efforts to put an end to work that brings no joy, and teach us how to govern the ways of business to the harm of none and for the sake of the common good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer and worship resources for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 are available here.
—
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.