“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 among nations…
For safe return of hostages and for protection for migrants…
In lament over acts of violence fueled by hate, prejudice, and fear, especially in Burlington, VT…
For areas of the nation facing winter storms, especially in Michigan Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York…
In thanksgiving for successful rescue operations following a tunnel collapse in northern India…
For victims of political violence in Sierra Leone…
For those injured and killed in a South African mine elevator accident, and for their loved ones…
For pastors, deacons, musicians, and all church leaders preparing for Advent, and for the congregations they serve…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in November: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
Monthly Observances in December: Universal Human Rights Month, World AIDS Awareness Month
Andrew, Apostle (Nov 30)
World Aids Day (Dec 1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec 8)
Hanukkah (Jewish festival, begins evening of Dec 7)
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 against prejudice, racism (ELW p. 51)
Good and gracious God, you invite us to recognize and reverence your divine image and likeness in our neighbor. Enable us to see the reality of racism and free us to challenge and uproot it from our society, our world, and ourselves. Amen.
A prayer for refugees, migrants, immigrants (ACS p. 51)
Holy God, as you have accompanied your people through times of captivity, wilderness, and exile, shelter and sustain all those who flee persecution, oppression, warfare, violence, hunger, and poverty. Open our hearts and homes, our gates and doors, so that they find safety, peace, and welcome–a place to live in freedom without fear; through Jesus Christ, our refuge and our hope. 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.
