“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 all those affected by war and armed conflict around the world, especially in Iran, Gaza, Ethiopia, Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Myanmar…
For ongoing protests and demonstrations around the world…
For flooding in southern California and all those impacted by coastal flooding…
For those impacted by the Jordan church attack and all impacted by religious violence….
For those injured in the shooting at Florida A&M, and for an end to gun violence…
For victims of the high-speed train crash in Spain…
For free and fair elections around the world…
Events & Observances:
October Observances: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Filipino American History Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, LGBTQ History Month
James of Jerusalem, martyr, died around 62 (Oct 23)
Reformation Sunday (Oct 25)
Philipp Nicolai, died 1608; Johann Heermann, died 1647; PaulGerhardt, died 1676; hymnwriters (Oct 26)
Simon and Jude, Apostles (Oct 28)
Reformation Day (Oct 31)
All Saints Day (Nov 1)
Martín de Porres, renewer of society, died 1639 (Nov 3)
Election Day (USA, Nov 3)
John Christian Frederick Heyer, died 1873; Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, died 1719; Ludwig Nommensen, died 1918; missionaries (Nov 7)
Diwali (Hinduism, Nov 8)
Prayers from ELCA Resources:
A prayer for peace (ELW):
O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS):
Eternal God, your Word brought forth creation, and your Spirit brings order out of chaos and confusion. You breathe upon us, and we are able to hear one another with language we can understand. Pour out your Spirit upon us now, that even when we disagree on the way forward, we may remain united in Jesus Christ, in whom we are known and accepted with a single love. Amen.
A variety of worship resources related to the upcoming national election season are available here.
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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.