“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.
Prayer prompts:
For all experiencing the effects of smoke, air pollution, and poor air quality…
For cleanup and recovery following tornadoes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Indiana…
For areas facing extreme heat and other extreme weather conditions…
For fire fighters and all in the paths of brush fires in California and Arizona…
For all victims and wounded in shooting events, especially in Kansas City, MO; Willowbrook, IL; Saginaw, MI…
For police protests in Paris…
For peace in the world, especially in Ukraine, Palestine, and Syria…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month; Pride Month; Gun Violence Awareness Month; African American Music Appreciation Month
Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, died around 202 (June 28)
Commemoration of Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29)
Catherine Winkworth, died 1878; John Mason Neale, died 1866; hymn translators (July 1)
Commemoration of Thomas, Apostle (July 3)
Independence Day (July 4)
Jan Hus, martyr, died 1415 (July 6)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the nation (ELW pg. 77)
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen.
A prayer for those affected by natural disasters (ACS pg. 50)
Holy God, in you alone we find safety and shelter. Be a sure refuge to all suffering from wildfires. Grant courage, protection, and favorable weather to firefighters and emergency responders; embrace with supportive communities all who are newly displaced or homeless; comfort those grieving all that has been destroyed and give patience to those who are anxious, not knowing when relief will come. Heal your whole creation, that out of flame and ashes new growth will spring forth. We pray through Jesus Christ, our life and our strength. Amen.
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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.
