These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts:

For the capacity to wisely live into the discernments made during the Churchwide Assembly…
For those in Seoul, South Korea impacted by heavy flooding…
For those in Europe who continue to navigate extreme temperatures…
For those who are incarcerated…
For educators preparing their classrooms for a new school year…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

A prayer for teachers (ELW p. 74)
God of wisdom, your Son came among us as a teacher. Send your blessing on all who are engaged in the work of education: give them clearness of vision and freshness of thought, and enable them so to train the hearts and minds of their students that they may grow in wisdom and be prepared to face the challenges of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for those who are incarcerated (ACS p. 52)
O God, who creates us, redeems us, and calls us by name, we pray for all who are incarcerated, those rightly convicted and those falsely accused. Help those in prison to sense your presence with them. Heal brokenness, cure addictions, and provide for their needs. Comfort them in despair, restore their hope, and protect them from violence and abuse. We pray through Jesus Christ, in whom we are claimed and freed for new life. Amen.

A hymn for openness to God’s word
Listen to the Word (ACS 974)

A hymn for the commemoration of Mary
For All the Faithful Women (ELW 419, esp. verse 6)

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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts: 

For those who are tending, harvesting and sharing seasonal produce…

For communities in eastern Kentucky impacted by flooding…

For communities in the western United States experiencing expanding wildfires…

For collective engagement in the ELCA’s Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative

For those who are experiencing insomnia…

For students, teachers, and school workers preparing for the start of the academic year…

For those who are gathering for the Churchwide Assembly…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

A prayer for gifts of agriculture (ELW p. 78)
God, our creator, you have ordered seedtime and harvest, sunshine and rain. Give to all who work the land fair compensation for the work of their hands. Grant that the people of this and every nation may give thanks to you for food, drink, and all that sustains life; may use with care the land and water from which these good things come; and may honor the laborers who produce them; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for health care providers (ELW p. 85)
Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for the mission of the church (ELW p. 75)
Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving 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.

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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts: 

In gratitude for and solidarity with members of our community living with disabilities…

For communities harmed by earthquakes in the Philippines and threatened by wildfires in California…

For the life of Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, the first Native American woman ordained in the Lutheran church…

For European and world leaders in discernment and negotiations over energy resources…

For volunteer election judges across the country, as they train and give of their time to ensure the integrity of the election process in the U.S…

For farm workers suffering the effects of climate change and recent extreme weather…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

A hymn of God’s bounty
God of the Fertile Fields (ACS 1063)

A prayer for disability (ACS p. 52)
Creator God, you made us all in your image. Help us to embrace one another as you do, beloved and blessed; not in need of fixing, but in need of authentic welcome. Bring healing where it is desired, affirmation where it is lacking, and awareness to all. Open our hearts to receive the gifts and needs of all people, and to become communities where everyone can find a place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (ACS p.52)

A prayer for the elders of the community (ELW p. 83)
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth. From everlasting you are our God, our dwelling place in all generations. You are the source of holy wisdom, and the fountain of all truth. We give thanks to you for the elders among us. We are graced by their wisdom and seasoning. We are touched by their knowledge and faith. Bless them, O God, as they are a blessing to us. Pour out your spirit, that our elders may continue to dream dreams and testify to the Light of their salvation, Jesus Christ. May we find inspiration in their years of faithfulness. May we follow their example by serving you with steadfastness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS p. 50)
Gracious God, we pray for our public servants, [______], that they do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts: 

For those in London and all across Europe, experiencing record-high temperatures and facing the on-going threat of wildfires…

For jurors, students, and families in the midst of the Parkland shooting sentencing trial…

For the victims of the mall shooting in Indiana, for their families, and for all the bystanders who experienced the trauma of that event…

For all who continue to suffer the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with prayers and hope that the thirst for power can quelled and peace can again be established…

For countries in the midst of a transition of power, including Sri Lanka and Japan…

For people around the world who continue to delight in the images from the James Webb telescope…

For safety for all who travel in this season…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

A prayer for church musicians (EWL p. 74)
O God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship: Pour out your Spirit on your servants who, with the gifts of music, enliven our praises and proclaim your word with power. Through this ministry give us new awareness of your beauty and grace, and join our voices with all the choirs of heaven, both now and forever; through your Son, 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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts: 

Prayers of thanksgiving for the good and faithful work of our siblings in both the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) during their recent national gatherings…

For ELCA Churchwide staff, bishops, lay and clergy voting members, guests, and all preparing for Churchwide Assembly next month…

For the incomprehensible expanse of creation, glimpses of which have been made possible by the technology of the James Webb Space Telescope…

For those facing down a new, more contagious variant of the COVID virus…

For healthcare workers feeling overwhelmed and burnt out…

For nations facing political and civil unrest, uncertainty, and transition, including Sri Lanka, Japan, and the ongoing conflict in Russia/Ukraine…

For all those living the effects of climate change: those facing heat waves in China, Eastern Eurpoe, and Texas; those facing droughts in Italy and the southwestern United States; those battling wildfires in Portugal…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

Suggested hymns & prayers: 

Hymns for the wideness of the universe:
How Great Thou Art (ELW 856)
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens (ELW 771)
In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness (ACS 1093)

A prayer for creation’s praise (ELW p.81)
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, who in your self-emptying love gathered up and reconciled all creation to the Father. Innumerable galaxies of the heavens worship you. Creatures that grace the earth rejoice in you. All those in the deepest seas bow to you in adoration. As with them we give you praise, grant that we may cherish the earth, our home, and live in harmony with this good creation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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 of 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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.

Intercession prompts: 

For the community of Highland Park, IL, and for all areas in our nation suffering recent gun violence…
For Jayland Walker’s family and community following the release of police bodycam videos…
For those injured and traumatized by gun violence, for grieving families and friends, and for all those in this country at increased risk of police violence…
For renewed motivation to work for environmental justice and care of creation…
For healthcare workers facing difficult or confusing decisions following recent Supreme Court decisions…
For those imprisoned in Russia: Ukrainian prisoners of war, Russian dissidents, and citizens of other nations, including Brittney Griner…
For our Muslim siblings around the world, as they observe the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca this week…
In thanksgiving for the life of Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, whose pursuits of peace and community created the groundwork for the World Council of Churches…

Praying for the Churchwide Assembly

Eid al-Adha (Islam, Festival of Sacrifice) – July 9
Commemoration of Benedict of Nursia – July 11
Commemoration of Nathan Söderblom – July 12

Suggested hymns & prayers: 

Hymns for the care of creation:
For the Wholeness of the Earth (ACS 1067)
Touch the Earth Lightly (ELW 739)
In Sacred Manner (ACS 1071)

Hymns for lamenting violence:
Sometimes Our Only Song Is Weeping (ACS 1050)
When Our World Is Rent by Violence (ACS 1052)
God Weeps with Us Who Weep and Mourn (ACS 1054)

A Prayer for preservation & healing from exploitation (ACS p.47)
Holy Spirit, you move through all creation with sighs too deep for words. Open our hearts to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Speak through your church to rebuke the forces that seek to exploit your planet. Join our human prayers with the voices of all creation and move us to honor you by preserving the gifts of nature that reveal your glory. Amen.

A prayer from the Service after a Violent Event (ACS p. 64-66)
Gracious God, the news of [these days] has ripped our hearts and torn our souls. We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In the depths of pain and anger, we gather before you, O God, our rock and our refuge. You are our only comfort. You are our only hope. Merciful God, you know the depth of our suffering. We have only begun to mourn those we have lost.

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.

Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.

All Creation Sings includes several resources for lament including “Lamenting Gun Violence” (Leaders Edition, p. 107) and “Service after a Violent Event” (Pew Edition p. 64-66, Leaders p. 110-113) as well as several collect prayers. This content is also available on SundaysandSeasons.com in the Library.

Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.