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Pray for the witness of the nine young people serving alongside the Lutheran Church of Australia as part of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program; the Rev. Kim Crawford and Rev. Henry Martinez, YAGM country coordinators; and the Rev. Sara Bishop, ELCA missionary serving in parish ministry.

Give thanks for the message of the apostle Paul — which had a profound impact on Martin Luther and the foundational beliefs of our church — that we are all flawed and broken human beings yet are reconciled to God by God’s gift of mercy and love in Jesus Christ.

Pray that our church’s relationships with the Lutheran World Federation, the World Council of Churches and the National Council of the Churches of Christ will continue to grow, and that we will share resources and utilize people’s diverse voices and gifts to do God’s work in the world and serve our neighbor.

Praise God! Give thanks that Jesus — the light and truth given for the world — sets us free from sin and the bondage of death, and transforms us for lives of love, mercy, peacemaking, serving our neighbor and sharing the good news with everyone.

Give thanks for musicians, composers and writers who share their gifts and skills to help us give expression to our faith and worship and to praise God together through hymns, music, songs and liturgies.

With humility and gratitude, give thanks to God, the creator of all that exists, for being our sure and trustworthy help throughout life.

Give thanks for the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to interreligious and ecumenical relations that promote understanding among Christians and greater unity among Christ’s people.

Pray that we will be bold witnesses, evangelists and teachers inspired, equipped and sent by the Spirit and our sisters and brothers in Christ to proclaim the gospel and to counsel, encourage and help people to discern truth from falsehood.

Pray for the Lutheran World Federation’s global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in the local contexts of Lutheran churches, and for the leaders now gathering for “We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity,” a global consultation hosted by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Look around and listen to the people you have encountered today. Remember in your prayers their joys, struggles, questions and sorrows.

Pray that the Spirit will make us persistent and fearless in our prayers, especially on behalf of people who long for justice, mercy, peace and relief from suffering.

Pray that we will seek ways of supporting and affirming youth and family ministers in their work of faith formation, equipping young people with life skills, engaging young people in service, supporting parents and inspiring and encouraging new leaders.

Pray for the countries of Central America, especially for children and youth who are traumatized by violence and have fled to other countries; for an end to gang violence and drug trafficking; for a more just distribution of wealth; and for Christians and communities of faith to have courage and persistence in living out the gospel.

Remember God’s just and merciful works throughout history, the help and compassion we receive, the gifts and resources that sustain our lives, and the new covenant made with us in Jesus Christ.

Pray for the members who serve on their congregation councils, that God will help them lead with wisdom, vision and compassion as they guide and manage their communities of faith for mission.