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 the victims and families of the mass shooting at a daycare center in Thailand…
For peace amid the escalating conflict between Palestine and Israel…
For the victims and rescue workers in the aftermath of a landslide in Venezuela…
For the safety of protestors speaking out amid episodes of violence in Pakistan…
For congregations engaged in annual stewardship appeals…
For an end to the continued violence and war in Ukraine, especially amid nuclear threats…
Other notable events and observances:
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr (October 17)
Luke, Evangelist (October 18)
LGBTQIA+ Heritage Month (through October 31)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (through October 31)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (through October 31)
Suggested hymns & prayers:
Prayer of the day for Luke, Evangelist (ELW p. 58):
Almighty God, you inspired your servant Luke to reveal in his gospel the love and healing power of your Son. Give your church the same love and power to heal, and to proclaim your salvation among the nations to the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our healer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn inspired by Luke’s gospel:
Caminemos con Jesús (ACS 1061)
Hymn for LGBTQIA+ heritage and inclusion:
God, We Gather As Your People (ACS 1038)
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.
