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.
Worship resources for the crisis in Eastern Europe:
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.
Intercession prompts:
For an end to the Russian government’s attacks on Ukraine, for the security of Kyiv, for the protection of civilians, for solidarity among those who stand for peace…
For an end to pay disparities based on gender, race, or ethnicity…
For China, as COVID-19 surges there again…
For all marking two years of pandemic upheaval, for all whose memories leave them breathless, for all who grieve without hope…
For substantive relief for all experiencing financial stress…
With gratitude for the life of Leon Schwarzbaum, holocaust survivor and justice maker, who died recently at the age of 101…
Other notable events and observances:
Women’s History Month (Month of March)
Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980 (March 24)
Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25)
Suggested prayers and hymns:
A prayer for those suffering abuse or violence (ELW p. 84)
God of liberation, you saw your people as slaves in Egypt and delivered them from captivity; you see works of violence and weep. Relieve the suffering of all who are experiencing/have survived abuse or violence [especially name/s ]. Grant them peace of mind and a renewed faith in your protection and care. Protect us all from the violence of others; help us to bring offenders to justice; keep us safe from the weapons of hate; and restore us to tranquility and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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.
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.
