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.
Intercession prompts:
For residents of Tongo, following devastating volcanic eruption, and for all areas feeling effects of the event…
For members of the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, following last week’s hostage crisis…
For Asian American communities grieving acts of racial violence…
For unity in the body of Christ in seeking health, hope, and wholeness in our world…
For health and stamina for nurses, doctors, emergency room, and hospital staff…
Other notable events and observances:
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month (Month of January)
Conversion of Paul (January 25)
Timothy, Titus, and Silas, missionaries (January 26)
Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith (January 27)
Thomas Aquinas, teacher (January 28)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25)
Suggested prayers and hymns:
A prayer for the caregivers and others who support the sick (ELW p. 85)
God, our refuge and strength, our present help in time of trouble, care for those who tend the needs of [the sick]/[ name/s ]. Strengthen them in body and spirit. Refresh them when weary; console them when anxious; comfort them in grief; and hearten them in discouragement. Be with us all, and give us peace at all times and in every way; through Christ our peace. Amen.
A prayer for those oppressed because of religious identity (ACS p. 51)
God of mercy and new life, you love all people, whom you have made in your image. Empower your faithful people to stand in solidarity with all those oppressed because of religious identity. Deepen respect, community, and love among all those who seek justice and peace. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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.
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.
Image from All Creation Sings, © 2020, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
