“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 rescue, recovery, and rebuilding following flooding in Vermont and other parts of New England…
For all evacuated due to landslides in southern California…
For cleanup and recovery efforts following flooding in Japan, India, and Pakistan…
For wonder and joy to fill all who may view the Northern Lights this week…
For renewed compassion, humility, and collaboration among political leaders, nationally and globally…
For all victims of gun violence, especially in Forth Worth, TX; Portland, OR; Cincinnati, OH; Chicago, IL; and Montgomery; AL…
For victims of the Mount Everest helicopter crash in Nepal…
For earthquakes and volcanoes in Iceland…
For peace in areas of war and conflict, especially Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Syria, and Haiti…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in July: Disability Pride Month, BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, died around 540 (July 11)
Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, died 1931 (July 12)
Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, died 1566 (July 17)
Mary Magdalene, Apostle (July 22)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who govern (ELW pg. 77)
Almighty God, we lift before you all who govern [this state/province/city/town/etc.]. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to used, not for personal glory or profit, but for the service of the people. Drive from us cynicism, selfishness, and corruption; grant in your mercy just and honest government; and give us grace to live together in unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those affected by natural disasters (ACS pg. 49)
Save us, O God, for the waters are rising, and there is no firm place to stand. Life as we know it has been swept away. Draw near to us in this time of need and be our protection. Support us as we rebuild what has been ruined. Do not let us drown in our sorrow, but raise us to new life in your promise of rebirth, already claimed for us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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.
