“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 peace in our world…
For all casualties of the conflict in Israel and Palestine and for all in dire need of humanitarian aid…
For victims of gun violence, especially in Lewiston, ME; Birmingham, AL; Fairland, MD; Charlotte, NC; Germantown, WI; Louisville, KY; and Gardner, MA…
For areas of the United States facing first winter storms of the season…
For victims of Louisiana’s I-55 interstate crash…
For all in the pathway of landfalling tropical cyclones moving toward Bangladesh, Yemen, Vanuatu, Nicaragua, and Mexico…
For ongoing drought in Brazil, and all areas suffering extreme weather…
For safe working conditions and fair wages for workers across the world…
For renewed hope and comfort for those who grieve…
In gratitude for the leadership of pastors, bishops, deacons, and ecumenical partners…
For gifts of renewal and reformation in our churches and in our lives of faith…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, LGBTQ History Month
United Nations Day (Oct 24)
Dussehra (Hindu festival, Oct 24)
Philipp Nicolai, died 1608; Johann Heermann, died 1647; Paul Gerhardt, died 1676; hymnwriters (Oct 26)
Simon and Jude, Apostles (Oct 28)
Reformation Sunday (Oct 29)
Reformation Day (Oct 31)
Halloween (Oct 31)
All Saints Day’ (Nov 1)
All Souls Day’ (Nov 2)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A set of worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land is now available on ELCA.org. 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. Additions may be made to these resources in the coming days and weeks. PDF DOC
A prayer for Reformation Day (ELW p. 58)
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A prayer for the church’s ministries (ACS p. 46)
Holy God, we praise you for calling diverse people into the church’s ministry of word and sacrament. Uphold all pastors with your strong and loving arms. Empower our ministers to serve your people with the word of scripture, the water of life, and the meal of grace. Equip them with both beloved traditions and fresh ideas; grant them joy in their tasks; and renew them daily by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Word among us, now and forever. Amen.
A prayer for peace (ACS p. 48)
You calm and quiet us, eternal God, as a mother holds her children close; all people have refuge in the shadow of your wings. Spread over us the shelter of your peace. Hold before us the wisdom of your cross, where we are drawn to you not by might or power, but by your boundless love and forgiveness 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.
