“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 all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat and weather events, especially storms and tornadoes in central China and areas facing typhoon threats…
For continued relief and rescue work following earthquakes in Venezuela…
For those wounded by explosions in Damascus, Syria…
For an end to human trafficking,
For those killed and injured over the holiday weekend and communities impacted by gun violence…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Benedict of Nurisa, Abbot of Monte Cassino (July 11)
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala (July 12)
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies (July 17)
Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
James, apostle (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who suffer abuse and violence (ELW p.53)
Mighty Jesus, living Word, soothe the bodies, souls, and minds of the victims of human trafficking. Bring them peace, hope, comfort, and strength. Bring abusers to justice and prevent them from causing further harm. Stir up the heart of your church gathered here and around the world, that we value justice and healing over silence and shame. Show us the way to your righteousness, led by the voices of those who suffer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A prayer after gun violence (ACS p.49)
God, our healer and our refuge, we pray for all who suffer from gun violence. With your mercy, bind up their wounds, restore their bodies, and heal their hearts. Comfort the mourners and embrace the lonely. With your might, empower us to change this broken world. Make us advocates for a stable society, alive with hope in you. We ask this through the one once wounded for our transgressions and now standing with us in our sorrows, 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 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

—

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.
 

Looking to July 4: Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026

Prayer prompts:
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For an end to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For the 250th anniversary of the United States…
For liberation and freedom, especially for those facing oppression…
For health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat, storms, and wildfires…
For continued relief and rescue work following earthquakes in Venezuela…
For victims of political violence in Greece…
For grieving families of children killed in a Pakistani roof collapse…
For communities impacted by gun violence, especially in Stade, Germany; Berlin, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; and for the aftermath of threats of gun violence in Henderson, Nevada…
For all who have experienced abuse or trauma in the church or by its members…
For accessible and affordable mental and behavioral health care for all…

Events and observances:
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Peter and Paul, apostles (June 29)
Canada Day, Canada (July 1)
Thomas, apostle (July 3)
Independence Day, USA (July 4)
Mary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
James, apostle (July 25)
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for a national holiday (ELW p.63)
Lord of all the worlds, guide this nation by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give to all our people the blessings of well-being and harmony, but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer in time of conflict, crisis, or disaster (ACS p.49)
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

—

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

—

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.

Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers that support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from other partners in a monthly blog post.

Sing Many Names: Scriptural Images for God in Hymnody

No single word or image conveys the mystery of God; we need many images in lively conversation and even then, all our language cannot capture the fullness of the living God. In Sing Many Names, scholar and musician Zebulon Highben invites the reader into conversation with the abundant images for God in the Bible, dedicating each chapter to an image or group of related images. Drawing on his scholarship and using the “Scriptural Images for God” in All Creation Sings as an organizing principle, this book invites pastors and musicians, teachers and students, and all who sing to reflect more deeply on the song of the church across time and space.

Lectionary for Worship NRSVue Study Edition Year B

This study edition of the Lectionary for Worship contains the Year B Revised Common Lectionary using NRSV Updated Edition Scripture texts. Pronunciation aids and convenient summaries help lectors prepare with confidence. The lectionary includes a helpful introduction with several charts. Artwork from Evangelical Lutheran Worship introduces each liturgical season and a Scriptural Index is included. Keep a copy in your church office and sacristy and gift to a recent seminary graduate!

Hymns Together: Solo and Duet Settings for Piano and Instruments

Hymns Together: Solo and Duet Settings for Piano and Instruments provides twenty-five hymn arrangements for friends and families to play together. Each arrangement may be a solo, a duet, or an ensemble with treble and bass instruments. Difficulty levels and arrangement lengths are intentionally varied to provide a wide range of possibilities, whether the pianists are beginners or more accomplished.

Celebrating Women’s Proclamation and Leadership Resources

We mourn the loss of women’s voices in the Southern Baptist Convention. Explore these resources uplifting women in the church’s history, as well as titles delving into the expansive language present in scripture. Want more? Learn about why the ELCA affirms and celebrates women in ministry leadership in the blog by Deacon Dr. Laura Gifford titled “Poorer Indeed: A Response to the Restriction of Women in Ministry Leadership by the Southern Baptist Convention” linked on this page.

Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics – 70th Anniversary Celebration!

Locations
Columbia, S.C. — July 24-25
Twin Cities, Minn. — July 27-28
Columbus, Ohio — August 3-4
Philadelphia, Pa. — August 6-7
Chicago, Ill. — August 10-11

More information about the event and registration for a FREE music clinic near you is available here.

“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, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela…
For all navigating by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For the families of those killed in Qatar gas explosion…
For communities impacted by gun violence in Niger; the Philippines; Montreal, Canada…
For those around the world facing extreme heat, severe storms, and other harsh weather conditions…
For elections and political transitions, especially in Britain…
For rescue and recovery efforts following earthquakes in Venezuela, and also in northern California…
For survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking…
For access to affordable housing, healthcare, groceries, and other basic needs…

Events and observances:
June observances: Pride Month
July observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month

Barnabas, apostle (June 11)
Martyrdom of Emmanuel Nine (June 17)
Juneteenth (June 19)
World Refugee Day (June 20)
Fathers Day (June 21)
John the Baptist (June 24)
Peter and Paul, apostles (June 29)
Thomas, apostle (July 3)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the human family (ELW p.79)
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer for commerce and labor (ELW p.78)
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Guide us with your justice in the workplace, so that we may never value things above people, or surrender honor to love of gain or lust for power. Prosper all efforts to put an end to work that brings no joy, and teach us how to govern the ways of business to the harm of none and for the sake of the common good; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—

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

—

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 peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For medical professionals, researchers, and all navigating the Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For a spirit of camaraderie and community during major global sporting events…
For awareness, advocacy, and an end to human trafficking…
For the G7 summit, global politics, and the interconnectedness of people and nations..
For the families of those killed in airplane crashes in Texas, California, and Missouri…
For all impacted by the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia…
For those affected by storms and severe weather…
For those evacuated and those fighting wildfires in eastern Washington…
For justice, compassion, and human rights for immigrants, refugees, those who are detained, and all who travel…
For fathers, caregivers, and those for whom parental relationships are strained…

Events and observances:
June observances: Pride Month

Barnabas, apostle (June 11)
Martyrdom of Emmanuel Nine (June 17)
Juneteenth (June 19)
World Refugee Day (June 20)
Fathers Day (June 21)
John the Baptist (June 24)
Peter and Paul, apostles (June 29)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for global mission (ELW p.75)
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself. We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

A prayer for peace among the nations (ELW p.76)
Gracious God, grant, peace among nations. Cleanse from our own hearts the seeds of strife: greed and envy, harsh misunderstandings and ill will, fear and desire for revenge. Make us quick to welcome ventures in cooperation among the peoples of the world, so that there may be woven the fabric of a common good too strong to be torn by the evil hands of war. In the time of opportunity, make us be diligent; and in the time of peril, let not our courage fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—

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

—

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 peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For the families of those killed in shootings in California, Alabama, Illinois, and Mississippi, and for an end to gun violence…
For all affected by storms and severe weather…
For safety and peaceful resolution amidst protests in Belfast…
For an end to hate crimes and hateful demonstrations…
For farmers and ranchers amidst the screwworm livestock emergency…
For responsible and ethical approaches to new and developing technologies…
For the success of peace talks in northern Nigeria…
For all impacted by the Ebola outbreak in central Africa…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies and for bishops and bishops-elect…
For World Cup travelers and for global community, collaboration, and celebration…

Events and observances:
June observances: Pride Month

Barnabas, apostle (June 11)
Martyrdom of Emmanuel Nine (June 17)
Juneteenth (June 19)
World Refugee Day (June 20)
Fathers Day (June 21)
John the Baptist (June 24)
Peter and Paul, apostles (June 29)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for peace (ELW p.76)
Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (ELW p.87)
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow human beings throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy. Amen.

—

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

—

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.