These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.
Worship resources for the crisis in Eastern Europe:
Worship resources are available to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Visit this link to access a wide variety of resources and prayers for general use. Additional newly-composed worship texts for Good Friday and Easter are available here.
Intercession prompts:
For the victims of violence in Bucha, Ukraine, and for all witnesses of the atrocities of war…
For the victims and survivors of the mass shooting in Sacramento, CA…
For our Muslim neighbors observing the holy month of Ramadan and for our Jewish neighbors preparing for Passover…
For all areas suffering damage, injury, or loss of life in spring storms…
With thanksgiving for the gifts of people with autism and for all who offer care and support to them…
Other notable events and observances:
Ramadan (April 2-April 30)
Commemoration of Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, died 1557 (April 10)
Passover (April 15-April 23)
Suggested prayers and hymns:
When Our World Is Rent by Violence, ACS 1052
Christ, Our Peace, ACS 1037
A prayer for time of conflict, crisis, disaster:
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ACS p. 51)
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.
Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession
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.
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.
