“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 conflict rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Myanmar, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For de-escalation of political protests in Bangladesh and anti-immigration protests in England…
For relief and recovery efforts and for all affected by the path of Hurricane Debby…
For victims of flooding and landslides in China…
For collaboration, civility, and compassion in national and international politics…
For protection for those fighting wildfires in California and the Pacific Northwest, and for safety for all evacuees…
In thanksgiving for the diversity, camaraderie, and international good will demonstrated during the Olympic Games…
Events and observances:
August Observances: National Black Business Month, National Immunization Awareness Month
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), 1221 (Aug 8)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (Aug 9)
Lawrence, deacon, martyr, died 258 (Aug 10)
Clare, Abbess of San Damiano, died 1253 (Aug 11)
Tisha B’av (Judaism, Aug 12-13)
Florence Nightingale, died 1910; Clara Maass, died 1901; renewers of society (Aug 13)
Maximilian Kolbe, died 1941; Kaj Munk, died 1944; martyrs (Aug 14)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the nation (ELW p. 76)
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen.
A prayer for time of conflict, crisis, disaster (ACS)
Merciful God, hear our cry for mercy in the wake of storms and natural disasters in our communities and around the globe. Reveal your presence in the midst of our suffering. Help us to trust in your promises of hope and life, so that desperation and grief will not overtake us. Come quickly to our aid that we may know peace and joy again. Strengthen us in this time of trial with the assurance and hope we know in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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.
