“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, and Venezuela…
For the victims of gun violence, especially those effected by incidents in Berlin and Seattle…
For relief and recovery efforts following the Japan earthquake…
For wildfires in France, Spain, and Greece; and for ongoing wildfire relief in Canada and northern Minnesota…
For relief and recovery following tornadoes in Wisconsin…
For heavy rain and flood risks in the northeastern United States…
For those living in extreme heat, especially the elderly and un-housed…
For ongoing diplomatic talks in the US-Iran war…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month
August Observances: National Black Business Month, National Back to School Month, International Peace Month

Johann Sebastian Bach, H. Schütz, G.F. Handel (July 28)
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr (July 29)
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (July 29)
Purple Heart Day (August 7)
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) (August 8)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
From “Lamenting Gun Violence” (ACS Leaders Edition p.107)
God, giver of life, you intend for humans to live together in peace. In this time of grief over gun violence, we pray for your presence among us. That, trusting in your mighty and gentle healing, we may live in hope, we pray: make us instruments of your peace.

A prayer for preservation and healing from exploitation (ACS p.47 )
Stir up your power, O God, and save your good creation. The earth groans in travail. Forests fall, oceans rise, crops fail. The air is thick with so much burning. Free us from the powerful who destroy the air, water, and land. Frustrate their violence, expose their lies, overthrow their schemes. Pour out over the earth justice that rolls down like water to nourish the life of the world. Preserve the health of your beloved creation. Strengthen those who serve and protect the garden of this earth. Restore the choir of your creatures and let us sing for joy. Gather us at your river, under the tree of life. Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth; in the name of the one who from a wounded tree birthed a new creation, Jesus our redeemer. 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 for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
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.