“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 victims of the capsized boat off the coast of Yemen, and for the plight of all migrants…
For excessive heat warnings, storm threats, and all areas of the nation facing extreme weather…
For the Southern Baptist Convention as delegates gather for its annual meeting…
For all victims of violence, including shooing victims in Atlanta, GA and Cornell College (IA) stabbing victims in northeastern China…
For citizens of Malawi, grieving the death of Vice President Saulos Chilima and others after a plane crash…
For safety and protection for all travelers…
For fathers and all who serve as caregivers, role models, and parental figures…
For advocates and peacemakers who continue to lead society in the work of racial justice and reconciliation…
Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month
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
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, teacher, died around 379, June 14
Hajj, Islam, June 14-19
Fathers Day, June 16
Emanuel Nine, martyrs, 2015, June 17
Juneteenth, June 19
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the care of children (ELW p.82)
Almighty God, with a mother’s love and a father’s care you have blessed us with the joy and responsibility of children. As we bring them up, give us gracious love, calm strength, and patient wisdom, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
A prayer for interreligious cooperation and understanding (ACS p.51)
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.
A collection of Prayers, Litanies, and Laments for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine is available on ELCA.org. PDF DOCX
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
—
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.
