“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 an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For lasting peace forged by shared commitment to the common good…
For an end to psychological warfare, torture, and genodice…
For safety and rescue for hikers stranded by severe snowstorms in western China and Nepal…
For victims of the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester, UK…
For federal workers facing uncertainty…
For safety and protection for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care…
For ongoing advances in scientific and medical research…
For the health and wholeness of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities…
For the flourishing of indigenous nations and communities…

Events and observances:
October Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15), Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, LGBT History Month

Sukkot, Judaism (Oct 7-13)
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Oct 13)
Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer of the church, died 1582 (Oct 15)
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, died around 115 (Oct 17)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for courts of justice (ELW p.77)
Lord of all, you have declared what is right: to seek justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you. Bless judges and courts, juries and law officers throughout our land. Guard them from retribution and from corruption. Give them the spirit of wisdom, that they may perceive the truth and administer the law impartially as instruments of your divine will. We pray in the name of the one who will come to be our judge, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections

—

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.

Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent and Christmas 2025-2026

Humble and Holy continues a centuries-old Christian tradition of setting aside time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and to anticipate his return. The Advent season of preparation then unfolds in the joy of the twelve days of Christmas and the day of Epiphany. This devotional offers daily devotions for the first Sunday of Advent (November 30, 2025) through Epiphany (January 6, 2026). These devotions explore the humble and holy in year A scripture readings (in the Revised Common Lectionary) for Advent and Christmas, as well as for the festival days and commemorations in the Advent and Christmas seasons. Available in pocket-sized, ebook, and large print versions.

Word of God, Word of Life: Understanding the Three-Year Lectionaries

Gail Ramshaw provides ten insights into the three-year lectionaries to guide all who are interested in exploring the meaning and importance of the Revised Common Lectionary and the Lectionary for Mass. Ramshaw combines deep historical, biblical, liturgical, and ecumenical knowledge with a keen perspective on the contemporary church to show us all the value and wisdom of these lectionaries.

Music Sourcebook: All Saints through Transfiguration

This second Music Sourcebook greatly expands the repertoire of resources for the song of the assembly and its leaders from All Saints through Transfiguration including the Advent and Christmas seasons. Most materials are reproducible and are newly composed in a broad range of styles.

“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 an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Grand Blanc, MI and Dallas, TX…
For rescue and recovery efforts following an earthquake in the Philippines…
For rescue and recovery efforts follow a school collapse in Indonesia…
For safety amidst protest in Morocco and Madagascar…
For all migrants and global travelers…
For access to affordable and reliable health care, clean water, and sufficient food…
For those who serve in the military…
For the health and flourishing of creation…
In thanksgiving for the ministries of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Yehiel Curry…

Events and observances:
October Observances: Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 to Oct 15), Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, LGBT History Month

Durga Puja, Hinduism (Sept 28-Oct 2)
Jerome, translator, teacher, died 420 (Sept 30)
National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools (Sept 30)
Yom Kippur, Judaism (Oct 1-2)
Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226 (Oct 4)
Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, died 1864 (Oct 4)
William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536 (Oct 6)
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787 (Oct 7)
Sukkot, Judaism (Oct 7-13)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (ELW)
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

A prayer for those in affliction (ELW)
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections

—

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.

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers in a monthly blog post.

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

ALCM nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival

Transforming and connecting lives through faith and music since 1981.

New FREE Arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music by Anne Krentz Organ

Download a new free arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music 2025 by Anne Krentz Organ: Beach Spring for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. Based on the well-known shape-note hymn tune, this versatile work is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project and can be performed either in full or as individual movements. Listen and download for free at LSMacademy.org/lsmpress.

Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music

For All the Saints
October 19-21
Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Join us for another exciting year of celebrating the Church’s song at the Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music. This year’s presenters include: John D. Witvliet, founding director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, and currently professor of theology and worship at Belmont University; noted organist and composer John Behnke, a Festival of Hymns by David W. Rogner, presented by Concordia-Chicago’s Kapelle, and the choirs of Grace Lutheran Church and First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, and organist and composer Brenda Portman.  Register today for this and much more!

Music that Makes Community

Rooted in Christian contemplative and activist traditions, Music That Makes Community envisions a liberative culture that empowers individuals and communities to claim and use the power of singing to heal our spirits, nurture our common lives, and work for justice.

Introductory Spaces – Meet Music that Makes Community at these events and conferences.

• CMP Converging 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, October 16-18.

Training Events — Join us at the following events for continuing education, community building, professional development, and celebrating this practice of paperless communal song-sharing.

• October 3-5: Workshop in Madison, Wisconsin
• October 12: Three-day Retreat in Albuquerque, N.M.
• November 7-9: Workshop in Waco, Texas
• February 6-8, 2026: Two-Day Retreat in Raleigh, N.C.
  Details and more in-person events are being planned. Please stay tuned!

Resources – Read the MMC blog for articles on a variety of topics.  The latest presents Songs for Justice.

Job Postings on Music That Makes Community website.

Sign up for Monthly Newsletter for regular updates on resources and events.  Read recent issues here.

Journey to Baptismal Living: North American Associate for the Catechumenate

An ecumenical Christian community seeking to support seekers, whether baptized or not, and those who accompany them on their journey of faith through the catechumenal process.

You are invited to visit the re-designed website to learn more about who we are and how to can assist you with resources, training, and other information about how we may work with you to connect through your commitment to the movement of faith through the sacrament of baptismal living as disciples of Christ.

08.01.25 – Phoenix, Arizona – Friday’s plenaries end with an evening prayer at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix.

On Friday evening August 1 as part of the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly, the assembly’s worship included a confession and repentance for the sins of patriarchy and sexism. This was, in part, to fulfill an implementing resolution to the 2019 ELCA social statement, Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action.

As we reflect upon  this moment, it’s important to consider the meanings of confession and repentance. The following background is provided in the resource Forgive Us and Transform Us for the Life of the World, p. 46.

What is Confession? 

Luther teaches us that confession has two parts that work together: we tell God our sins and we receive God’s forgiveness (Small Catechism, Part V: Confession). When we confess, we’re living out our faith — we’re being honest about the ways we’ve hurt ourselves, the neighbor, and creation, by what we’ve done and what we’ve failed to do. Picture it like standing in a bright light; everything is visible, but instead of this provoking fear, it becomes freeing. No matter what you confess, God’s love will never abandon you — it’s a promise. 

What is Repentance?

Repentance goes deeper than just feeling bad about what we’ve done wrong. It’s about truly changing how we live and act. Think of it as making a complete turn — away from harmful ways and toward God’s way of love and justice. To be clear, we don’t make this turn by our own strength. The Holy Spirit does this work in us, giving us courage to think and live differently. Luther explains in the Smalcald Articles that true repentance includes both truly being sorry for our sins and deeply believing that Christ forgives any and all sins (Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article III). This coming together of being and believing leads to the change in how we act and live; it leads to transformation. 

The text for the Confession used at the Churchwide Assembly is provided below. We understand that the use at the Churchwide Assembly is only the beginning of an ongoing process. You are invited to implement in your context as desired. Also, you are encouraged to read and share the full resource, Forgive Us and Transform Us for the Life of the World.  You can also learn more about the ELCA’s work with Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment. You’ll see on this website that the Forgive Us and Transform Us resource is available for download in both English and Spanish.

Confession and Repentance for the Sins of Patriarchy and Sexism

Good and gracious God, you have created us for flourishing and abundance, yet we deny and diminish the promises you have made to us and all creation. 

We come before you in confession and repentance for the sins of patriarchy and sexism, seeking forgiveness and transformation. 

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. 

Silence for reflection.

Creator of the cosmos, we confess our complicity in the sins of patriarchy. You envision communities built on mutuality, wonder, and neighbor justice, but we entangle ourselves in systems of oppression that harm individuals and stunt our ability to imagine abundant life for all.

Forgive us and transform us.

Lover of the world, we acknowledge that sexism shapes every corner of our lives. In our homes, schools, workplaces, townships, neighborhoods, and churches— and even in our own hearts, women and girls are silenced and sidelined, which is an affront to your divine goodness. We bring before you the cries of every age, trusting you to bear the pains we name, and the suffering known only to you.

Forgive us and transform us. 

Source of wisdom, gender is not a monolith; it is vast, diverse, and beautifully infinite. We repent of the ways society subjects women of color, same-gender loving women, trans women, and non-binary people to virulent forms of discrimination and violence. We grieve how humanity corrupts your sacred compassion through harassment, domination, and control.

Forgive us and transform us. 

Holy Midwife, your vision is stronger than the lines of oppression that humanity has drawn. Your good and gracious news is for all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, citizenship, marital status, age, education, ability, or any other distinction people have weaponized to divide us one from another. Give us moral courage to interrupt acts that do not serve the common good and to dismantle the systems that cause harm.

Forgive us and transform us. 

Creative Spirit, inequity runs through the very fabric of our denomination. We lament that patriarchal language dominates our places of worship, gender bias persists in call processes and pay scales, and the stained-glass ceiling often keeps female-identifying rostered ministers from senior leadership. Inspire your church to treasure the expansive images found in scripture and through the fullness of our lived experiences. Compel us to uplift those whom others have subjugated.

Forgive us and transform us. 

God who calls, you invite us into The Way— a way built neither on pride nor on shame but on creation’s interconnected flourishing. Unearth in your church a bold pursuit to make space for women and girls— our giftedness, our voices, our bodies, our choices, our dreams. For we know that you always work beside us, renewing, repairing, and closing the gap between the world as it is and the world as it ought to be.

Forgive us and transform us. 

Dear ones, sinners and saints, receive the good news: patriarchy, misogyny, sexism, homophobia, and white supremacy do not define you; instead, God forgives you and has imprinted love, grace, justice, and abundant life on your hearts forever. As we grieve, let us also trust in Jesus Christ’s power to liberate this gathered assembly, the church, and the whole world. Through the Spirit, we shall be transformed for God’s promised future.

Let the church say: Amen, thanks be to God!

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.

Revised Common Lectionary Expanded Daily Readings

The Revised Common Lectionary Expanded Daily Readings resource helps connect daily biblical study to the Revised Common Lectionary. Biblical readings from Thursday through Saturday help prepare for the Sunday reading ahead. Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and meditate on the previous Sunday’s readings. This resource includes daily readings for the full three-year lectionary cycle.

Lectionary Mosaics: Three Readings Juxtaposed for Reflection and Proclamation

As with viewing a mosaic, the more closely the reader examines this book, the more it shows forth rich meaning and inspiration for preachers, lay readers, and all who desire to encounter Jesus Christ in the scriptures. Lectionary Mosaics by Gordon W. Lathrop began as reflections made available for those not able to gather in their worshiping assemblies during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet its wisdom extends into our current time and beyond. Holding together all three readings of the Revised Common Lectionary for each Sunday and festival, these brief mosaic paragraphs invite you to faith in the triune God, love of neighbor, and care for our earthly home.

Calendar of Word and Season: Sundays and Seasons, Year A 2026

This beautiful full-color wall calendar with art by Mike Moyers identifies church festivals and US and Canadian holidays throughout each vividly illustrated month. It also includes a list of all the Bible readings for the year from the Revised Common Lectionary for Sundays and church festivals. Date blocks provide plenty of room for family or church date-keeping, identifying the seasonal or festival color. This calendar makes an excellent gift for households, staff, and committee members! Spiral-bound and punched for hanging.

ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Health and Health Care

Pastor and health care professional Kathie Bender Schwich traces the origins, dimensions, and legacy of the ELCA’s 2003 social statement “Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor.” From the 2009 passage of the Affordable Care Act to new understandings of adverse childhood experiences and the social determinants of health, much has changed—but as Bender Schwich explains, the theological underpinnings of the statement remain cogent expressions of our callings as individuals, congregations, and communities to care for ourselves and each other. Quantity discounts are available to support group study.