“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 an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Tanzania…
For relief, recovery, and grief work following Tropical Storm Melissa, Typhoon Kalmaegi, and the Afghan earthquake…
For victims of political and police violence in Tanzania and Brazil…
For victims of the UPS plane crash in Louisville, KY…
For all who face food insecurity and hunger…
For farmers and for food production…
For elections, political transitions, and all government employees and leaders…
For protection, justice, and human rights for all migrants…
In gratitude for all veterans and their service to the common good…
Events and observances:
November Observances: Military Family Month, Native American Heritage Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
John Christian Frederick Heyer, died 1873; Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, died 1719; Ludwig Nommensen, died 1918; missionaries (Nov 7)
Martin, Bishop of Tours, died 397 (Nov 11)
Remembrance Day-Canada (Nov 11)
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, died 1855 (Nov 11)
Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231 (Nov 17)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS p.50)
Gracious god, we pray for our public servants, that they do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A prayer for those in the armed forces (ELW p.77)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the members of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—
The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
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.