“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
Next week, those in the United States mark ten years since the murder of the Emanuel Nine at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina (June 17, 2015). Click here to access prayer resources to help commemorate this anniversary.
Prayer prompts:
For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world; especially Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…
For victims of the Air India plane crash and for all recovery efforts…
For safety and protection amidst riots in Northern Ireland and protests in Los Angeles, CA…
For de-escalation of nuclear tensions in the Middle East…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Graz, Austria…
For immigrants, refugees, and all migrants…
In memory of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and for the safety of LGBTQIA+ individuals…
For synod assemblies and for all newly-elected bishops in the ElCA…
Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month, PTSD Awareness Month
Barnabas, Apostle (June 11)
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, teacher, died around 379 (June 14)
Father’s Day (June 15)
Holy Trinity Sunday (June 15)
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, died 2015 (June 17)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Onesimos Nesib, translator, evangelist, died 1931 (June 21)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer in times of national distress (ELW p.76)
Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and a rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the care of children (ELW p.82):
Almighty God, with a mother’s love and a father’s care you have blessed us with the joy and responsibility of children. As we bring them up, give us gracious love, calm strength, and patient wisdom, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship resources and prayers in response to wildfires
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis
Worship resources for and following national elections
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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. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession
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.
