“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 justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen…
For rescue and recovery work in Myanmar and Thailand, and for all who mourn…
For victims of the nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic…
For those affected by flooding and storms…
For aid workers in dangerous areas, and those who mourn aid workers killed in Gaza…
For all victims of gun violence, especially near Fredericksburg, Virginia…
For those whose livelihoods depend upon finance and trade, and for those who are most vulnerable amidst market downturns…
For all who raise their voice for justice in their communities…
For pastors, deacons, musicians, and lay leaders as they prepare worship for Holy Week…
Events and observances:
April Observances: Arab American Heritage Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Autism Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian, died 1945 (Apr 9)
Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, died 1557 (Apr 10)
Mahavir Jayanti (Jainism, Apr 10)
Pesach/Passover (Judaism, Apr 12-20)
Holy Week (Apr 13-20)
Vaisakhi (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Apr 14)
Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for before worship (ELW p.72)
God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the nation (ELW p.77)
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and 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.
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
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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.
