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.
Election Day Resources:
ELCA prayer and worship resources for Election Day are available here.
Intercession prompts:
For those grieving in the aftermath of the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri…
For all affected by school shootings and acts of violence…
For the leaders of nations and all diplomats and peacemakers…
For our upcoming national and local elections and election judges who will serve at the polls…
For the victims of human trafficking…
For relief and peaceful resolution to the ongoing violence in Haiti…
For an end to the continued war in Ukraine and all places of war and conflict…
Other notable events and observances:
Reformation Day (October 31)
All Saints Day (November 1)
Día de los Muertos (November 1-2)
Martín de Porres, Renewer of Society (November 3)
LGBTQIA+ Heritage Month (through October 31)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (through October 31)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (through October 31)
American Indian Heritage Month (November)
Suggested hymns & prayers:
Prayer for responsible citizenship: ELW p. 77)
Lord God, you call your people to honor those in authority. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, participate in wise decisions for our common life, and serve our neighbors in local communities. Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer resources in response to gun violence:
Service after a Violent Event (ACS p. 64-66)
Hymn suggestions for Reformation Day:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW 503, 504, 505)
Thy Strong Word (ELW 511)
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (ELW 517)
The Church of Christ, in Every Age (ELW 729)
Listen Now for the Gospel (ACS 972)
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.
