“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.
In the coming weeks, those in the United States will mark two significant anniversaries: five years since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 25, 2020) and ten years since the murder of the Emanuel Nine at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina (June 17, 2015). Click here to access prayer resources for these anniversaries.
Prayer prompts:
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world; especially Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Boulder, CO and Hickory, NC…
For all victims of prejudice, hate, or marginalization, including Jewish communities facing antisemitism and LGBTQIA+ communities during this Pride Month…
For those injured in the homeless shelter attack in Salem, OR…
For the safety and stamina of those working in social services, immigration services, hunger and housing organizations, and legal aid…
For rostered ministers and lay leaders of the ELCA who gather in synod assemblies…
For schools, churches, and community organizations preparing for summer programming…
For Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca for the Hajj…
Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month, PTSD Awareness Month
The Hajj, Islam (June 4–9)
Boniface, Bishop of Mainz, missionary to Germany, martyr, died 754 (June 5)
Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, died 1866 (June 7)
Vigil of Pentecost (June 7)
Eid al-Adha, Islam (June 7)
Day of Pentecost (June 8)
Columba, died 597; Aidan, died 651; Bede, died 735; renewers of the church (June 9)
Barnabas, Apostle (June 11)
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, teacher, died around 379 (June 14)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer celebrating and giving thanks for gender diversity (ACS p.51)
O God, your divinity transcends distinctions of gender, and through the generations you widen our awareness of human diversity. We gather here before you in our various expressions of gender identity, all of us one in Christ Jesus. Bring our society to peacefulness concerning a wider understanding of gender. Give courage and healing to those who express outwardly the gender they testify as gift from you. Open the church to their witness. We ask that with your creative Spirit you cultivate new relationships, mend old wounds, and nurture communities of respect, for the sake of the one who embraces all persons in love, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Prayer of the day for Barnabas, Apostle (ELW p. 56):
We praise you, O God, for the life of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your church, gave generously of his life and possessions for the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel. Grant that we may follow his example and by our actions give glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections
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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.