“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 relief to all who are suffering from excessive heat and humidity…
For the health of life-giving bodies of water: rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, and oceans…
For peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, Niger, Pakistan, and Colombia
For those near death and for those mourning the loss of a loved one…
For safety and rest for those traveling for vacations and summer trips…
For the work of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, and for staff and campers in the final weeks of
summer camps…
For survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault….
For victims of flooding in China following Typhoon Doksuri…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in August: National Black Business Month, World Cancer Support Month
World Lung Cancer Day (August 1)
National Night Out (August 1)
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 7)
National Friendship Day (August 6)
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), died 1221 (August 8)
Lawrence, deacon, martyr, died 258 (August 10)
Clare, Abbess of San Damiano, died 1253 (August 11)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those in trouble or bereavement (ELW p. 84)
Almighty God, your love never fails, and you can turn the shadow of death into daybreak. Help us to receive your word with believing hearts, so that, confident in your promises, we may have hope and be lifted out of sorrow into the joy and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the neighborhood (ELW p. 78)
God, our creator, by your holy prophet Jeremiah you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our 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.
