Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: May 8, 2022
Worship resources for the crisis in Eastern Europe:
Follow this link to access resources to assist worshiping communities as they respond to the crisis in Eastern Europe. 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.
Intercession prompts:
For leaders running for elected office as the season for state and local primaries begins, and for all who use their political office to support the welfare of all people
With thanksgiving for mothers of all kinds and for all people who provide compassionate care to others…
For people for whom Mother’s Day is difficult, including those who are grieving, those in difficult relationship circumstances, or those experiencing infertility…
For all wrestling with difficult decisions about pregnancy, parenthood, and childcare…
For all people seeking safe, equitable, and empowered access to healthcare…
For the beloved memory of the more than 15 million lives lost, directly and indirectly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic…
For those battling wildfires in New Mexico, suffering dust storms in Colorado, and cleaning up after tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma…
Other notable events and observances:
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May 1-31)
Mother’s Day, May 8
Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, died around 1416 (May 8)
Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, renewer of the church, hymnwriter, died 1760 (May 9)
Matthias, Apostle (May 14)
Suggested prayers and hymns:
A prayer for the care of children:
Holy God, loving parent of the child Jesus, we pray for children around the world. Alert us to the struggles that many children endure. With your generous and tender care, grant to all children compassionate adults who will shield them, feed them, and help them to grow strong and skilled, joyful and free. Empower family members and all caregivers with adequate resources and a daily renewal of wisdom and patience, and assure them of their holy vocation as guardians of your dear ones, for the sake of our protector, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (ACS p. 53)
A prayer for responsible citizenship:
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. (ELW p. 77)
Hymns for Mother’s Day and in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
As a Mother Comforts Her Child (ACS 1015)
Shepherd Me, O God (ELW 780)
Golden Breaks the Dawn (ELW 852)
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.