“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, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For Christian unity and courage in seeking and speaking peace…
For rescue, recovery, and rebuilding work after storms, tornadoes, and flooding across the Midwestern US…
For victims of gun violence, especially in school shootings in Turkey…
For elections and political transitions around the world, especially in Hungary…
For all who struggle amidst rising fuel costs around the globe…
For the victims and survivors of the ship which sank between Bangladesh and Myanmar…
For safety for those on the Gaza flotilla from Spain…
For victims of the stampede at Laferrière Citadel in Haiti…
For the diversity and gifts of the human family…
For those who face financial stress in this tax season, and for renewed wisdom among leaders who discern how to use shared resources for the common good…
For migrating birds and insects, and for animals waking from hibernation…
Events and observances:
April Observances: Autism Awareness Month, National Alcohol Awareness Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assualt Awareness Month
Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop ofUppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)
Anselm, bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 (Apr 21)
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 (Apr 23)
Mark, Evangelist (Apr 25)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the proper use of wealth (ELW p.80)
O God, in your love you have given the people of this land gifts of abundance beyond what our forebears knew or could imagine. Mercifully grant that we may not be so occupied with material things that we forget spiritual gifts, and thus, even though we have gained the whole world, lose our souls; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
A prayer for faithful commitment (ELW p.86)
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
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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.