For What Shall We Pray?
Prayer prompts:
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia…
For those at risk of famine and starvation in Gaza, and for those who work to provide aid and relief…
For victims of violence, especially in New York City, NY, Reno, NV, and Traverse City, MI…
For those who are still missing in the aftermath of flooding in Texas, and for the ongoing work of search and rescue teams…
For those experiencing deadly flooding in Beijing, China, and for all places affected by severe weather…
For those facing the aftermath of the eastern Russia earthquake, and for all evacuees in the region…
For Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, for Presiding Bishop Eaton, and for the ELCA in this season of leadership transition…
In thanksgiving for the Spirit’s wisdom and guidance during ELCA Churchwide Assembly…
In gratitude for the volunteers, convention center staff, and Churchwide staff who made ELCA Churchwide Assembly possible…
Events and observances:
July Observances: Disability Pride Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
August Observances: International Peace Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month, National Black Business Month, National Immunization Awareness Month
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), died 1221 (August 8)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for a public church (ACS p. 47)
Mighty and merciful God, lover of justice and equity, you call us to support the weak, to help those who suffer, and to honor all people. By the power of your Holy Spirit, make us advocates for your justice and instruments of your peace, so that all may be reconciled in your beloved community; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
A prayer for emergency workers (ELW p. 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.
A prayer for our newly-elected Presiding Bishop
Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain Bishop-elect Curry, that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people. Grant that together we may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy 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 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
“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.
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.
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.