“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 justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan…
For elections and political transitions around the world…
At the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests…
For those affected by severe flooding in southern Germany…
For those evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Kanlaon Monday night on Negros Island in the Philippines…
For safety and relief during extreme heat waves in Arizona and California…
For protection and compassion for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants…
For victims of the mass shooting in Akron, Ohio…
For veterans and all military personnel and their families, at the 80th anniversary of D-Day…
Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month
Boniface, Bishop of Mainz, missionary to Germany, martyr, died 754, June 5
D-Day, June 6
Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, died 1866, June 7
Columba, died 597; Aidan, died 651; Bede, died 735; renewers of the church, June 9
Barnabas, Apostle, June 11
Shavuot/Feast of Weeks, Judaism, June 12
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those in the armed forces (ELW p.77)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the [members] of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils that surround them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; though Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer for refugees, migrants, immigrants (ACS p.51)
Holy God, as you have accompanied you 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 and without fear; through Jesus Christ, our refuge and hope. Amen.
A set of worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land is 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 set of worship resources for national elections is available on ELCA.org. Scripture readings, prayers, and assembly song suggestions are offered, to be used in settings such as prayer vigils, Morning or Evening Prayer, regular weekly worship or personal devotion in the weeks preceding or following an election. PDF DOC
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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.
