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 the United Nations team and all those navigating the dynamics surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine…
For those remembering the life of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who brought the Cold War to a peaceful end..
For peaceful resolution to violent conflicts in Baghdad…
For communities in China impacted by drought…
For relief and recovery efforts during flooding in Pakistan…
For communities in Kentucky impacted by flooding and communities in California facing extreme heat…
For safe and equitable working environments for all people…
For the gifts of work and vocation…
Other notable events and observances:
Month of September: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Sept 5: Labor Day (USA)
Sept 5-11: National Suicide Prevention Week
Sept 9: Commemoration of Peter Claver, priest, missionary to Colombia
Suggested hymns & prayers:
A prayer regarding commerce and labor (ELW p. 78)
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Guide us with your justice in the workplace, so that we may never value things above people, or surrender honor to love of gain or lust for power. Prosper all efforts to put an end to work that brings no joy, and teach us how to govern the ways of business to the harm of none and for the sake of the common good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those who are unemployed (ELW p. 79)
God of justice, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our wealth and resources that all people may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those entering retirement (ELW p.82)
Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant name who has enriched this community and brought gladness to friends and family. Now bless and preserve her/him at this time of transition. Day by day, guide her/him and give her/him what is needed, friends to cheer her/his way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling her/him. By your Holy Spirit be present in her/his pilgrimage, that she/he may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for vocation in daily life (ELW p. 82)
O God, give us grace to set a good example to all among whom we live, to be just and true in all our dealings, to be strict and conscientious in the discharge of every duty; pure and temperate in all enjoyment, gracious and generous and courteous toward all; so that the mind of Jesus Christ may be formed in us and all may know that we are his disciples; in whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymns of work and vocation
How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord (ELW 580)
Take My Life, That I May Be (ELW 583/685)
The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve (ACS 988)
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.
Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. Several prayers are provided that could be used during the prayers of intercession or at other times, in public worship or for devotional use at home or in other settings.
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.
