Prompts for Prayers of Intercession: July 3, 2022
Intercession prompts:
For the apostle Thomas, whose life we commemorate this day: for the courage to name his questions, declare his belief, and for his devotion to Jesus…
For those who will gather this weekend to celebrate our nation’s independence…
For those affected by recent Supreme Court decisions, and those who feel anxious about precedent…
For parents of young children, who now have access to COVID vaccines after waiting for more than a year…
For those injured and killed in the Amtrak crash in Missouri, and for their families…
For those grieving and appalled at the death of 51 migrants trapped in a truck in Texas…
For world leaders looking to bring an end to the war in Ukraine…
For those living in Russia who will be most deeply affected by increased economic sanctions…
For election workers in this primary season…
Praying for the Churchwide Assembly
As the ELCA prepares for Churchwide Assembly in August, prayer petitions are available that may be incorporated into worship six weeks prior and one week following the assembly. Find the full list of petitions here.
Petition for July 3:
O God, you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by that Spirit, as this church prepares to gather in assembly, that we might have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your
peace.
Other notable events and observances:
Canada Day – July 1
Commemoration of Thomas, apostle – July 3
Independence Day (USA) – July 4
Commemoration of Jan Hus, martyr – July 6
Eid al-Adha (Islam, Festival of Sacrifice) – July 9
Suggested hymns & prayers:
Hymns for Independence Day weekend:
This Is My Song (ELW 887)
Before You, Lord, We Bow (ELW 893)
A prayer for the nation (ELW p.77)
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people who delight in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen.
A prayer for times of civic distress (ACS p.49)
Rise up and come to our help, merciful God, for we are in need. Our spirits are weighed down with fear; our bodies feel as fragile as the dust from which we came. All that we have trusted seems hidden from sight. But you have not forgotten us. We do not trust in our own power and strength, but in your steadfast love in every generation. Show us your face, remind us of your faithfulness, and save us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.