These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.
Intercession prompts:
For rebuilding and recovery work following tornadoes in the southern United States…
For families grieving children killed in a school bombing in northern Afghanistan…
For an end to continued war in Ukraine…
For an end to gun violence in our nation…
For nations and governments in leadership transitions…
For all who are struggling with and recovering from RSV, Covid, and other illnesses…
For strength and stability in marriages and all partnered relationships…
Other notable events and observances:
Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, died 1552 (December 3)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3)
John of Damascus, theologian and hymnwriter, died around 749 (December 4)
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, died around 342 (December 6)
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died 397 (December 7)
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Human Rights Day (December 10)
Nobel Prize Day (December 10)
Suggested hymns & prayers:
Prayer for families (ELW, p. 83)
Triune God, whose will it is that humans live in community, bless family life everywhere and fill all homes with respect, joy, laughter, and prayer. Strengthen the commitment of [partners and family members] to one another, that they may mirror your covenant faithfulness; pour out your Spirit on [caregivers], that through them their children may taste your unconditional love; and empower all family members to live in your grace and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement
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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.
Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.
Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession
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.
