“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 all victims of gun violence, in Dallas, TX…
For victims of the bombing of Anglical Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza…
For farmers, gardeners, and all who tend creation during the shift in seasons…
For safety for all refugees, migrants, and those seeking a homeland…
For the story of Jesus’s Passion and for his solidarity with all who are unjustly detained or denied due process…
For those who are preparing for baptism and those who accompany them…
For all Christians across the globe during this Holy Week and Easter…
For Jewish siblings observing Passover, and for the dignity and safety of people of all religious traditions…
Events and observances:
April Observances: Arab American Heritage Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Autism Awareness Month, Alcohol Awareness Month
Pesach/Passover (Judaism, Apr 12-20)
Holy Week (Apr 13-20)
Olavus Petri, priest, died 1552; Laurentius Petri, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1573; renewers of the church (Apr 19)
Resurrection of Our Lord (Apr 20)
Ridván (Bahá’í, Apr 20 – May 2)
Anselm, bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 (Apr 21)
Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 (Apr 23)
Yom HaShoah (Judaism, Apr 23-24)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those preparing for baptism (ELW p.75)
Merciful and most high God, creator and giver of life, you have called all people from darkness into light, from error into truth, from death into life. Grant grace to [those preparing for baptism] and bless them. Raise them by your Spirit. Revive them by your word. Form them by your hand. Bring them to the water of life and to the bread and cup of blessing, that with all your people they may bear witness to your grace and praise you forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the agriculture (ELW p.81)
Abundant God, we give you thanks for the fruitful earth, which produces what is needed for life. Bless those who work in the fields; grant favorable weather to all engaged in agriculture; and help us to ensure that all people share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through your Son, 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.
