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 communities In Puerto Rico and the Caribbean dealing with the damage caused by Hurricane Fiona…
For communities in Alaska in the wake of Typhoon Merbok…
For communities In Japan in the wake of Typhoon Nanmadol…
For communities in Papua New Guinea impacted by the September 11 earthquake…
For communities In Pakistan dealing with the effects of summer monsoon flooding…
In thanksgiving for siblings of Hispanic & Latinx heritage…
For Synod Council Members across the church…
Other notable events and observances:
Month of September: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Sept 1-Oct 4: Season of Creation
Sept 15-Oct 15: Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Sept 29: Michael and All Angels
Sept 30: Jerome, translator and teacher
Suggested hymns & prayers:
A prayer for times of conflict, crisis, or despair (ELW p. 76)
God, our refuge and strength, you have bound us together in a common life. In all our conflicts, help us to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, to listen for your voice amid competing claims, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for Michael and All Angels (ELW p. 58)
Everlasting God, you have wonderfully established the ministries of angels and mortals. Mercifully grant that as Michael and the angels contend against the cosmic forces of evil, so by your direction they may help and defend us here on earth, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God whom we worship and praise with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns for complicated times
Let Your Peace Rain Upon Us (ACS 989)
Ask the Complicated Questions (ACS 1005)
ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement
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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.
