“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 an end to ongoing violence in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, Israel, and Haiti…
For places in the world grieving mass deaths, including Kenya and Burkina Faso…
For Australia and New Zealand as they remember their fallen on Anzac Day…
For an end to gun violence in our nation…
That faith-based narratives of love, humility, and service would rise above dangerous rhetoric of Christian nationalism…
For those harmed by legislative restrictions on healthcare access, especially for transgender siblings and women…
For an expansion of affordable housing, and for all who are unhoused or housing insecure…
Events and observances:
National Arab American Heritage Month (month of April)
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (month of April)
Earth Month (month of April)
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (month of May)
Jewish American Heritage Month (month of May)
Mental Health Awareness Month (month of May)
Catherine of Siena, theologian, died 1380 (April 29)
Philip and James, Apostles (May 1)
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, died 373 (May 2)
Monica, mother of Augustine, died 387 (May 4)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
Resources for responding to gun violence and national distress:
Prayer for Lament (ACS p. 61)
Service After a Violent Event (ACS p. 64)
Prayers for Civic Life, Government, and the Nations (ACS p. 48-50)
A prayer for commemoration of Philip and James, Apostles (ELW p. 55)
Almighty God, you gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to your Son. Grant that we, remembering their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A prayer against prejudice, racism (ACS p. 50)
O God, you form all humanity to bear your divine image, and you intend for everyone to live together in harmonious dignity. We pray for all people, whether ourselves or others, who suffer the cruelties of racial or ethnic prejudice. Grant your Spirit of power to all who are oppressed. Give healing to victims of violence, protection to the vulnerable and abused, better housing and worthy employment to the mistreated, courage to the fearful, a remedy for rage, strength to parents and caregivers, and hope to children and youth. Purge the privileged of their sense of superiority, and lead church and society to foster communities of equity and diversity; through Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. Amen.
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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.
