As the new year approaches, Prayer Ventures offers a simple way to ground your daily life and ministry in prayer. These short, daily petitions—shared each day on Living Lutheran and available as monthly PDFs on the ELCA resource site—connect us to the global mission of the church and the needs of our neighbors.
Whether used personally or in congregational settings, Prayer Ventures is a timely and accessible resource for anyone looking to incorporate intentional prayer into 2026.
Read MoreFor an end to war, conflict, and violence especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Eastern Congo, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all victims of violence, threats of violence, and communities grieving gun violence, including the Brown University and MIT campuses, Stewartville High School, and victims of the Bondi Beach violence in Sydney, Australia…
For immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and all who travel…
For those facing extreme weather, especially blizzard and high wind threats in the Northwestern United States…
For the community of Holden Village in this season of evacuation and evaluation…
For children and families who face increased food insecurity during school breaks…
For accessible and affordable health care…
For those living with seasonal affective disorder…
For all who seek shelter…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For victims and families of the Hong Kong apartment fire…
For all affected by flooding in Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka…
For protection, provision, and justice for immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and advocates…
For all victims of violence, exploitation, and abuse…
For access to affordable and reliable healthcare…
For those who live with seasonal affective disorder…
For just governance and equitable distribution of God’s abundance…
For those who cannot find peace or joy in this season…
Please keep Pastor Charles Newman in your prayers following a serious fall at home on November 29. He has undergone an initial surgery on his right leg and faces additional procedures and a long recovery ahead. Pastor Charles and his wife, Jenifer, welcome prayers as they adjust to the early weeks of healing.
Read MoreFor an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For abducted students and staff in Nigeria…
For victims of flooding in Vietnam…
For all affected by volcanic eruptions in Indonesia and Ethiopia…
For winter storms across the United States and for safety for travelers…
For those affected by tornadoes and severe weather in Texas…
For de-escalation in areas facing immigration raids…
For health, safety, and provision for all migrants…
For families, friends, and neighbors gathering for the holiday…
In gratitude for God’s faithfulness…
Retired pastor Rev. Richard (Dick) Glover, a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Phoenix, died earlier this week on Monday, November 17, 2025. Details about services are not yet available. Please keep his wife Alice, his loved ones, and the St. Andrew community in your prayers. We will share service information as soon as it becomes available.
Read MoreFor an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all affected by the the eruption of the Semeru volcano in Indonesia…
For safety, dignity, and justice for immigrants…
For the health of the earth and for those working to mitigate environmental destruction…
For victims of abuse and trafficking…
For ELCA indigenous ministries and tribal relations, and for the work of truth and healing…
For all who await the reign of Christ to break into our world and our hearts…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For all in the path of Typhoon Fung-wong…
For UN climate talks and for safety amidst protests…
For national tragedies around the world including a Turkish military plane crash, a bridge collapse in south-west China, a bus crash in Peru, and a car explosion attack in India…
For feeding ministries and all hunger relief organizations…
For all federal employees…
For care and safety for immigrants…
For all loving marriages and partnerships…
For the beauty of God’s creation, especially sightings of the Northern Lights this week…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Tanzania…
For relief, recovery, and grief work following Tropical Storm Melissa, Typhoon Kalmaegi, and the Afghan earthquake…
For victims of political and police violence in Tanzania and Brazil…
For victims of the UPS plane crash in Louisville, KY…
For all who face food insecurity and hunger…
For farmers and for food production…
For elections, political transitions, and all government employees and leaders…
For protection, justice, and human rights for all migrants…
In gratitude for all veterans and their service to the common good…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Tanzania…
For all in the path of Tropical Storm Melissa…
For victims of police raids in Brazil…
For cease-fire in Gaza, and for opportunities for relief agencies to accomplish their work…
For all who face hunger and food insecurity, especially those those who rely on SNAP benefits…
For food pantries, community meals, and all feeding ministries and programs…
For federal employees…
For safety for immigrants, refugees, and all migrants…
For the communion of saints and for witnesses to faith in this and all generations…
For gifts of time, daylight, nighttime, and the cycle of the seasons…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Pakistan/Afghanistan…
For cease-fire to hold in Gaza, and for the work of relief agencies…
For all in the path of Tropical Storm Melissa…
For areas of the world affected by changes to the global environment…
For political transition in Japan…
For immigrants and those who work and advocate on their behalf…
For government employees and those who rely on federal programs…
For the work of the Holy Spirit in renewing the church in every age…
For an end to war and conflict, and for places of political unrest or contention, especially Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan/Afghanistan, and Madagascar…
For transformations of heart toward lasting peace and freedom…
For safety and protection for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those grieving victims of a factory explosion in McEwen, Tennessee and a factory fire in Bangladesh…
For all affected by the government shutdown, both federal workers and those who rely on federal offices and systems…
For journalists, educators, librarians, publishers, and all who contribute to the flow of information…
For victims of storms and flooding in Alaska and Mexico, and for flood threats in Colorado…
For healthcare workers…
For the flourishing of indigenous nations and communities and for the work of ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations…
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…
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…
For an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Dallas, TX, and other acts of violence, including Pittsburgh, PA…
For all in the path of Typhoon Ragasa…
For the work of the United Nations as they meet in assembly…
For political transition in Malawi…
For those managing brush fires in Hawaii…
In gratitude for the diversity of human gifts, experiences, and abilities that all reflect God’s image…
Prayer is more than spoken words—it’s relationship with God. In this Café article, Sarah Carson explores varied approaches to prayer, from silent meditation to journaling, from walking in nature to creative expression. Each practice offers new ways to listen, respond, and rest in God’s presence. Prayer is less about performance and more about authenticity. Read more in Café →
Read MorePrayer doesn’t always require words. In A Prayer without End, Sarah Carson explores how prayer can flow through music, art, daily habits, and even silence. Drawing on Scripture and Lutheran teaching, she reminds us that prayer changes us—helping us see God in all things. Could our actions, creativity, and relationships also be forms of ceaseless prayer? Read more in Café →
Read MoreFor an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Minneapolis, MN…
For government transitions in Nepal and Malawi…
For the plight of all migrants who seek safety, security, and opportunity…
For all who live under oppression, threat, and fear…
For Jewish neighbors preparing for Rosh Hashanah, and for all gifts of newness, self-reflection, and repentance…
Pastor Brian Weinberger is home and continuing his recovery with the support of his family and congregation. His wife shares that having him back has been “wonderful for our entire family,” even as their days are now filled with ongoing appointments and long-term recovery needs. We give thanks for the prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts that have surrounded the Weinbergers and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and we invite continued prayer for Pastor Brian’s healing and strength.
Read MoreFor an end to war and conflict, especially in Gaza, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine…
For peaceful resolution following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Orem, Utah and Evergreen, Colorado…
For victims of racism, racial profiling, and race-based violence…
For farmers and for all individuals and businesses navigating financial insecurity…
For colleges, universities, and all educational institutions…
For first responders, emergency personnel, and all who risk their lives in service of others…
