For What Shall We Pray? 2/23/2023
Prayer prompts:
For continued relief and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria…
For continued clean-up efforts following the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment…
For all who are digging out and warming up following winter storms in the Midwest…
For the families and loved ones of the Orlando shooting victims…
For an end to gun violence across our nation and our world…
For the loved ones of those killed in a plane crash near Little Rock, Arkansas…
For those injured and killed during violent raids in the West Bank…
For peace in our world, especially at the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…
For recovery efforts after an open pit mine collapse in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region…
For all facing unemployment, job insecurity, or financial instability…
Events and observances:
Black History Month (Month of February)
Women’s History Month (Month of March)
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156 (February 23)
Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, died 1921 (February 25)
George Herbert, hymnwriter, died 1633 (March 1)
John Wesley, died 1791; Charles Wesley, died 1788; renewers of the church (March 2)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
Responding to Turkey/Syria Earthquakes
Prayer Resources in Time of Earthquakes
A prayer for those facing unemployment (ELW p. 79):
God of justice, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our wealth and resources that all people may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for time of conflict, crisis, or disaster (ACS p. 49)
God most mighty, God most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. God most majestic, God most motherly, grant us your life, the life that flows from your Son and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A prayer for the well-being of creation (ACS p. 47)
Creator God, who set the stars in their places and directs the course of the planets; who robed this earth with a thin garment of air, making it a haven of beauty and life; who breathed into each of us the breath of life: We thank you for the gift of air. Create in us such a sense of wonder and delight in this and in all your gifts that we receive them with gratitude, care for them with love, and generously share them with all your creatures, to the honor and glory of your holy name. Amen.
“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.
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.
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.