“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 where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Syria, Myanmar, Russia and Ukraine, and Sudan…
For the restoration of collaboration and compassion among political parties and leaders…
For hunger crises in Gaza, Sudan, and around the world…
For contentions in the South China Sea and the Red Sea…
For victims of the fatal plane crash in West Nashville, TN…
For storm and flood threats in the northeastern and southern United States…
For relief and recovery following wildfires in Texas and Minnesota…
For the continued doctor strike in South Korea…
For all victims of assault and abuse…
For Muslim communities preparing to enter the holy month of Ramadan…
In thanksgiving for the gifts and leadership of women across history and across disciplines…
Events and observances:
March observances: Women’s History Month
Perpetua and Felicity and companions, martyrs at Carthage, died 202 (Mar 7)
Maha Shivratri (Hinduism, Mar 8)
International Women’s Day (Mar 8)
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883; renewers of society (Mar 10)
Ramadan (Islam, begins sundown Mar 10)
Daylight Saving time (Mar 10)
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604 (Mar 12)
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. PDF DOC
A prayer for congregational ministries (ELW)
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit equips the church with a rich variety of gifts. Grant that we may use them to bear witness to Christ in lives that are built on faith and love. Make us ready to live the gospel and eager to do your will, so that we may share with all your church in the joys of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for interreligious cooperation and understanding (ACS)
God of creation, we give you thanks for our wonderfully diverse human family. We pray for the well-being of all people, including our neighbors of other religions and worldviews. Grant that, together with them, we will find ways to cooperate for the common good of all, as you desire. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.
