“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 natural lands and communities affected by wildfires in Canada and Greece, and for regions facing compromised air quality…
For all people, ecosystems, and creatures struggling under extreme temperatures…
For people experiencing homelessness, especially queer youth, those fleeing abuse, and those formerly incarcerated…
For those in the path of Tropical Storm Calvin…
For areas of the United States suffering after storms and flooding, especially on the east coast…
For all evacuated due to heavy rains and flooding in South Korea, and for those grieving deaths of family or friends…
For victims of mudslides in Colombia, especially those grieving the loss of children…
For peace in areas of war and conflict, especially Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Syria, and Haiti…
For clergy and all who serve the church…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in July: Disability Pride Month, BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566 (July 17)
Mary Magdalene, Apostle (July 22)
Birgitta of Sweden, renewer of the church, died 1373 (July 23)
James, Apostle (July 25)
Johann Sebastian Bach, died 1750; Heinrich Schütz, died 1672; George Frederick Handel, died 1759; musicians (July 28)
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (July 29)
Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, died 1030 (July 29)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who are neglected (ELW pg. 79)
Almighty and most merciful God, we call to mind before you all whom it is easy to forget: those who are homeless, destitute, sick, isolated, and all who have no one to care for them. May we bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit, that they may have comfort in sorrow, company in loneliness, and a place of safety and warmth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for peace (ACS pg. 48 )
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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.
