Praying Together in 2026: How Prayer Ventures Connects Church and World

As we approach the start of a new year, many of us are reflecting on how we want to live, lead, and serve in 2026. One simple and meaningful way to ground the year ahead is through daily prayer—especially prayer that connects us to the wider church and the needs of the world.

Prayer Ventures is an ELCA resource that offers short, daily prayer petitions focused on the global, social, and outreach ministries of the church, as well as the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities, and world. These prayers invite us into a shared rhythm of intercession and thanksgiving, reminding us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

Each day, Living Lutheran publishes a Prayer Ventures prayer for the day, making it easy to incorporate into personal devotions, staff prayer, council meetings, worship planning, or congregational communications. The prayers are accessible, theologically grounded, and attentive to God’s work in the world through the ELCA and its partners.

In addition to the daily posts, Prayer Ventures are available as monthly PDF downloads on the ELCA resource site. These PDFs are especially useful for pastors, deacons, worship planners, and lay leaders who want to plan ahead or integrate prayer into meetings, newsletters, bulletins, or small-group gatherings.

As Lutherans, we trust that prayer is not something we do alone. It is a communal practice—formed by God’s promises and shaped by our concern for the neighbor. Prayer Ventures offers a way to pray with the church, for the sake of the world God so loves.

As you look toward 2026, we invite you to explore this resource and consider how it might support a deeper, more connected prayer life in the year ahead.

Learn more and access Prayer Ventures:

ELCA, Leader Resources, PrayersBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment