“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 the completion of all ELCA synod assemblies, for rest for pastors and synod staff members, and for newly elected and reelected bishops…
For parents who identify as fathers, and for those for whom their relationships with their fathers are difficult…
For those struggling with dangerous air quality conditions, especially children, elderly adults, and other vulnerable populations…
For safe and joyful celebrations on the holiday of Juneteenth, and our collective work against the injustices of racism and discrimination….
For those marking the 7th anniversary of the tragic deaths at the Pulse in Orlando….
For all victims and wounded in mass shooting events, especially this week in Denver, Colorado; Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland…
For all affected by the bridge collapse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…
For those grieving victims of the city attack in Nottingham, UK…
For those who have died or who remain missing in a boat capsize in northern Nigeria…
For those displaced by the Mayon volcano activity in the Philippines…
For refugees around the world, and especially Afghan families facing imminent homeless in the United Kingdom…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month; Pride Month; Gun Violence Awareness Month; African American Music Appreciation Month
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, teacher, died around 379 (June 14)
Flag Day (June 14)
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, died 2015 (June 17) – find more information and worship resources here
Father’s Day (June 18)
Celebration of Juneteenth (June 19)
Adelaide Teague Case, Educator, died 1948 (June 19)
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (June 19)
World Refugee Day (June 20)
Summer Solstice (June 21)
Commemoration of Onesimos Nesib, translator, evangelist (June 21)
Alban, died 304 (June 22)
Commemoration of John the Baptist (June 24)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for Juneteenth (This prayer and additional Juneteenth worship resources can be found here)
Holy and righteous God, you created us in your image. Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression. Help us, like those of generations before us who resisted the evil of slavery and human bondage in any form and any manner of oppression. Help us to use our freedoms to bring justice among people and nations everywhere, to the glory of your Holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the care of children (ELW pg. 82)
Almighty God, with a mother’s love and a father’s care you have blessed us with the joy and responsibility of children. As we bring them up, give us gracious love, calm strength, and patient wisdom, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of Jesus Christ, our 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.
