For What Shall We Pray? 9/19/2023
Prayer prompts:
For gatherings and conversations of interfaith partnerships and community groups dedicated to fostering dialog and understanding…
For those near death and for those mourning the loss of a loved one…
For the partnering work of the Lutheran World Federation as delegates travel home from LWF Thirteenth Assembly in Krakow, Poland…
For the Lutheran World Federation’s new president, the Rev. Henrik Stubkjær….
For the recent assembly of the Sierra Pacific Synod and for Bishop-Elect Jeff Johnson…
For attendees of the WELCA Triennial Gathering in Phoenix, AZ…
For the work of the UN General Assembly…
For those experiencing liberation and reunion…
For those struggling with addiction, in recovery programs, and celebrating sobriety anniversaries…
For areas around the world experiencing violence and unrest, including Ukraine and Niger…
For the people of Morocco and Libya in the aftermath of devastating flooding…
Events and observances:
Monthly Observances in September: National Suicide Prevention Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15),
Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Sept 21)
International Day of Peace (Sept 21)
National Native American Day (Sept 22)
Yom Kippur (Judaism, begins eve of Sept 24)
Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who live alone (ELW p. 83)
Gracious God, none who trust in your Son can be separated from your love. Give to those who live alone peace and contentment in their solitude, hope and fulfillment in their love of you, and joy and companionship in their relations with others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for those who are oppressed because of religious identity (ACS p. 51)
God of mercy and new life, you love all people, whom you have made in your image. Empower your faithful people to stand in solidarity with all those oppressed because of religious identity. Deepen respect, community, and love among all those who seek justice and peace. In the name of Jesus 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.