“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 people of Hawaii and especially the victims of wildfires on the island of Maui…
For those affected by the mudslides in Myanmar…
For those evacuated due to Typhoon Lan in western Japan…
For farmers in the closing weeks of the growing season as they prepare for the coming harvest…
For Lutheran colleges and for Lutheran campus ministries at colleges and universities, as they prepare to welcome students for the coming academic year…
For children in foster care or waiting for adoption…
For those facing a recent diagnosis of disease, cancer, or other health-related challenges…
For those facing eviction or struggling financially, with job loss, underemployment, or….
For couples entering into the covenant of marriage…
For peace in areas of war or conflict, especially in Ukraine, Libya, Syria, and Palestine…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in August: National Black Business Month, World Cancer Support Month
Mary, Mother of Our Lord (August 15)
National Nonprofit Day (August 17)
19th Amendment Ratified in 1920/Women’s Suffrage (August 18)
World Breast Cancer Research Day (August 18)
Transgender Flag Day (August 19)
World Humanitarian Day (August 19)
Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, died 1153 (August 20)
Bartholomew, Apostle (August 24)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for schools (ELW p.78)
O God, source of all goodness: we give you thanks for the gift of reason and the opportunity for education. Bless our schools, that they may be places of learning and safety where teachers challenge the minds and nurture the hearts of students. Grant that teachers and students may work together in mutual respect and find joy in the challenges of academic life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those affected by natural disasters (ACS p. 50)
Holy God, in you alone we find safety and shelter. Be a sure refuge to all suffering from wildfires. Grant courage, protection, and favorable weather to firefighters and emergency responders; embrace with supportive communities all who are newly displaced or homeless; comfort those grieving all that has been destroyed and give patience to those who are anxious, not knowing when relief will come. Heal your whole creation, that out of flame and ashes new growth will spring forth. We pray through Jesus Christ, our life and our strength. 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.
