Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: October 31, 2021
Intercession prompts:
For candidates and voters in local elections…
For political unrest in Sudan and Tunisia…
For victims of gun violence…
For those recovering from recent severe weather…
For ecumenical and full communion partners, especially the Reformed Church in America…
For continued and increased access to Covid vaccines and treatments, and in memory of those who have died in the pandemic…
Other notable events and observances:
Reformation Day (October 31)
All Saints Day (November 1) / All Saints Sunday (November 7)
Election Day (US) (November 2)
LGBT History Month (through October 31)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (through October 31)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (through October 31)
Native American Heritage Month (November)
Suggested hymns and prayers:
Prayer resources for COVID and All Saints Day:
https://blogs.elca.org/worship/5326/
Prayer for responsible citizenship (ELW p. 77):
Lord God, you call your people to honor those in authority. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, participate in wise decisions for our common life, and serve our neighbors in local communities. Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A prayer of Martin Luther (ELW p. 87):
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen.
Prayer for those affected by natural disasters (ACS p. 49):
Save us, O God, for the waters are rising, and there is no firm place to stand. Life as we know it has been swept away. Draw near to us in this time of need and be our protection. Support us as we rebuild what has been ruined. Do not let us drown in our sorrow, but raise us to new life in your promise of rebirth, already claimed for us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayers for places affected by violence:
“Service after a Violent Event” (ACS p. 64-66, and Leaders Edition p. 17-18).
Hymn suggestions for Reformation Day:
By Grace We Have Been Saved (ACS 1006)
God Alone Be Praised (ACS 1023)
Founded on Faith (ACS 1048)
Additional worship resources for Reformation Day:
Reformation 500 Sourcebook: Anniversary Resources for Congregations (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2016).
These prompts are provided for worship leaders as they prepare the prayers of intercession for weekly worship. The prompts are prepared by several leaders in the ELCA and reflect current world and national events. You are encouraged to adapt and add other concerns for your local context, including staying informed of events and concerns in your synod.
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.