“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 affected by wildfires in Canada, and especially for safety for all emergency responders…
For safety amidst an ongoing chain of earthquakes in North Carolina…
For the victims of human rights violations in the United States and around the world…
For peace in places of war and conflict, and especially for flooding following the destruction of Kakhovka dam in Ukraine…
For veterans commemorating D-Day…
For victims of violence during protests in Senegal…
For those detained during demonstrations commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre…
For the ELCA and all leaders, congregations, and members who gather for Synod Assemblies this season…

Events and observances:

Monthly observances in June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month; Pride Month; Gun Violence Awareness Month; African American Music Appreciation Month

D-Day (June 6)
Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, died 1866 (June 7)
Feast of Corpus Christi (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)
Flag Day (June 14)
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, died 2015 (June 17) – find more information and worship resources here

Prayers from ELCA resources:

A prayer for the mission of the church (ELW pg. 75)
Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, serving together in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for emergency workers (ELW pg. 85)
God of earth and air, water and fire, height and depth, we pray for those who work in danger, who rush in to bring hope and help and comfort when others flee to safety, whose mission is to seek and save, serve and protect, and whose presence embodies the protection of the Good Shepherd. Give them caution and concern for one another, so that in safety they may do what must be done, under your watchful eye. Support them in their courage and dedication that they may continue to save lives, ease pain, and mend the torn fabric of lives and social order; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

“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 victims of recent gun violence, especially in Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Arizona, Washington, New Mexico, California, Georgia, and Washington D.C….
For victims of the apartment building collapse in Davenport, Iowa…
For renewed humility and cooperation among government leaders and across political parties…
For protection for all people facing threats of violence, abuse, and harassment, especially marginalized communities…
For peace among nations, especially between Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Palestine, and Serbia/Kosovo, Syria, Israel, Palestine…
For nations in leadership transition and nations finishing elections, including Turkey, Nigeria, Spain, and Alberta, Canada…
For the ELCA and all leaders, congregations, and members who gather for Synod Assemblies this season…
For safety and joy at upcoming Pride celebrations across the nation…

Events and observances:

Monthly observances in June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month; Pride Month; Gun Violence Awareness Month; African American Music Appreciation Month

Justin, martyr at Rome, died around 165 (June 1)
International Children’s Day (June 3)
The Martyrs of Uganda, died 1886 (June 3)
John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, died 1963 (June 3)
The Holy Trinity (June 4)
Boniface, Bishop of Mainz, missionary to Germany, martyr, died 754 (June 5)
D-Day (June 6)
Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, died 1866 (June 7)
Columba, died 597; Aidan, died 651; Bede, died 735; renewers of the church (June 9)
Barnabas, Apostle (June 11)

Prayers from ELCA resources:

Resources for responding to gun violence and national distress:
Prayer for Lament (ACS p. 61)
Service After a Violent Event (ACS p. 64)
Prayers for Civic Life, Government, and the Nations (ACS p. 48-50)

A prayer for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (ELW pg. 86)
God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

Image from All Creation Sings, © 2020, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

“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:

In thanksgiving for all those who have given their lives in service to our country…
For all who are currently serving in the armed forces and for veterans seeking care for mental and physical injuries received during active duty…
For missing and murdered indigenous women and girls…
For nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders would listen to the voices of those who survived the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki…
For the voices of climate scientists (such as the World Meteorological Organization) to be heard and respected…
For the families and friends of those who died in soccer stadium stampede in San Salvador…
For peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, and Israel…
For congressional leaders to reach agreement on the debt ceiling…
For an expansion of mental health care and improved access…
For healing and hope for those who are suffering from mental illness, especially those with treatment resistant conditions…

Events and observances:

Monthly observances in May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; Mental Health Awareness Month; Older American Month; Arthritis Awareness Month, Women’s Health Care Month

Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists (May 24)
John Calvin, renewer of the church, died 1564 (May 27)
Amnesty International Day (May 28)
World Hunger Day (May 29)
Memorial Day (May 31)
Visit of Mary to Elizabeth (May 31)
Justin, martyr at Rome, died around 165 (June 1)
International Children’s Day (June 3)
The Martyrs of Uganda, died 1886 (June 3)
John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, died 1963 (June 3)

Prayers from ELCA resources:

Resources for responding to gun violence and national distress:
Prayer for Lament (ACS p. 61)
Service After a Violent Event (ACS p. 64)
Prayers for Civic Life, Government, and the Nations (ACS p. 48-50)

A prayer for those in the armed forces faith and science (ELW pg. 77)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women 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.

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.

Image from All Creation Sings, © 2020, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

“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 fair and free elections and political stability in Turkey, Thailand and Cambodia…
For a timely resolution of the debt ceiling crisis…
At this 75^th anniversary of the Palestinian displacement, prayers peace in Palestine and Israel and for the restoration of Palestinian homelands…
For refugees and migrants fleeing violence and economic hardship…
For immigration reform in the United States and for a humane and generous policy towards refugees and migrants…
For relief for the people of Myanmar impacted by Cyclone Mocha…
For peace in Sudan, Ukraine, Somalia, and Senegal…
In thanksgiving for all who are graduating and ending academic years, and for God to bless them in their next endeavors
For the dignity and well-being of our elders, including care for physical, emotional, relational, and economic health…
For strong communities that love, honor, and advocate for neighbors of all races, classes, gender identities, sexualities, ages, and abilities…

Events and observances:

Monthly observances in May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; Mental Health Awareness Month; Older American Month; Arthritis Awareness Month, Women’s Health Care Month

Ascension of Our Lord (May 18)
Erik, King of Sweden, martyr, died 1160 (May 18)
Helena, mother of Constantine, died around 330 (May 21)
Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists (May 24)
John Calvin, renewer of the church, died 1564 (May 27)

Prayers from ELCA resources:

Resources for responding to gun violence and national distress:
Prayer for Lament (ACS p. 61)
Service After a Violent Event (ACS p. 64)
Prayers for Civic Life, Government, and the Nations (ACS p. 48-50)

A prayer for faith and science (ACS p. 48)
God of mystery, you  made the universe with its marvelous order and chaos, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures. We give you thanks for all who study the mysteries of creation and ask that their work may increase our curiosity, wonder, and joy, that we may come to know you more truly and serve you more humbly; in the name f Jesus Christ, your Wisdom and your Word. Amen.

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.

Image from All Creation Sings, © 2020, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.