For What Shall We Pray? 5/2/2023
Prayer prompts:
For the friends and family of the shooting victims in Texas; for all those who have suffered from gun violence…
For an end to the killing of innocent civilians in warfare – especially in Ukraine…
For peace in Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Syria…
For our representatives in congress; that they would devote themselves to working together for the well-being of all…
For an expansion of mental health care in our country, especially in rural communities…
For the rights of women and girls for education and health care especially in Afghanistan…
In thanksgiving for health care workers, especially nurses, that they may be honored and sustained in their critical work…
For a resolution to political turmoil in Kenya…
Events and observances:
Monthly observances in May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; Mental Health Awareness Month; Older American Month; Arthritis Awareness Month, Women’s Health Care Month
Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, died around 1416 (May 8)
Victor the Moor, martyr, died 303 (May 8)
Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, renewer of the church, hymnwriter, died 1760 (May 9)
Matthias, Apostle (May 14)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
Resources for responding to gun violence and national distress:
Prayer for Lament (ACS p. 61)
Service After a Violent Event (ACS p. 64)
Prayers for Civic Life, Government, and the Nations (ACS p. 48-50)
A prayer for the neglected (ELW p. 79)
Almighty and most merciful God, we call to mind before you all whom it is easy to forget: those who are homeless, destitute, sick, isolated, and all who have no one to care for them. May we bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit, that they may have comfort in sorrow, company in loneliness, and a place of safety and warmth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS p. 50)
Gracious God, we pray for our public servants [names], that they do their work in a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Inspire them to use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life. Guide our leaders to govern in such a way that all people enjoy a peaceful and just society. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.