“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 memory of Emmett Till and for all victims of race-based hate crimes…
For those fighting wildfires in Greece, southern Italy, Tunisia, and Algeria; and in the states of New Mexico, Oregon, and California…
For all in the pathway of Typhoon Doksuri…
For just and peaceful resolution to strikes and protests in Israel…
For students killed in a gymnasium roof collapse in China…
For victims of violent conflicts in Ecuador…
For victims of a migrant ship capsize off the coast of Senegal…
For refugees, asylum seekers, and all migrants…
For any who are targeted and persecuted for their religious beliefs…
For those in military service, and especially those serving against will or conscience…
For peace in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, and Haiti…
For the healing of the earth and for swift and purposeful action against climate change…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in July: Disability Pride Month, BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
James, Apostle (July 25)
Tisha B’Av (Judaism, July 26-27)
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 stewardship of natural resources (ELW pg. 80)
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us coworkers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for refugees, migrants, immigrants (ACS pg. 51)
Holy God, as you have accompanied your people through times of captivity, wilderness, and exile, shelter and sustain all those who flee persecution, oppression, warfare, violence, hunger, and poverty. Open our hearts and our homes, our gates and doors, so that they find safety, peace, and welcome–a place to live in freedom without fear; through Jesus Christ, our refuge and our hope. 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.
