For What Shall We Pray?
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, Sudan, and South Sudan…
For Native Americans celebrating cultural identity through powwows this summer and for preservation and appreciation of indigenous heritage…
For victims of landsides in Central and South America…
For cleanup efforts after a major oil spill near Singapore…
For those grieving the heat-related deaths of more than 500 pilgrims in Mecca during Hajj…
For extreme heat in India and other places around the globe…
For the health of our planet and people, creatures, and habitats most impacted by climate change…
For migrants missing or lost after shipwrecks in the Mediterranean…
For victims of human rights violations, especially in Greece, and for protection for all migrants…
For a resolution to violence in the South China Sea…
Events and observances:
June Observances: LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month
Juneteenth, June 19
John the Baptist, June 24
Philip Melanchthon, Reformer, June 25
Jeremiah, Prophet, June 26
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26
Cyril of Alexandria, Archbishop, June 27
National PTSD Awareness Day June 27
Irenaeus, Bishop, June 28
Peter and Paul, Apostles, June 29
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for the oppressed (ELW p.79)
Look with mercy, gracious God, upon people everywhere who live with injustice , terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Rouse us from our complacency and help us to eliminate cruelty wherever it is found. Strengthen those who seek equality for all. Grant that everyone may enjoy a fair portion of the abundance of the earth; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for stewardship of natural resources (ELW p.80)
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us coworkers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
“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.