{"id":9730,"date":"2026-07-15T15:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T20:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/worship\/?p=9730"},"modified":"2026-07-15T15:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T20:23:18","slug":"for-what-shall-we-pray-171","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcablogs.fairnorthdigital.com\/worship\/9730\/","title":{"rendered":"For what shall we pray?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span>“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<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n


\nPrayer prompts:<\/b>
\nFor peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Venezuela\u2026
\nFor health and safety for all experiencing extreme heat, storms, and wildfires, especially in northern Minnesota; Ontario, Canada; and Paris, France\u2026
\nFor victims of the bar fire in Bangkok, Thailand\u2026
\nFor those evacuated and displaced by Typhoon Bali in northern China\u2026
\nFor those who feel vulnerable within their communities, especially immigrants, migrants, and refugees…
\nFor victims of gun violence\u2026
\nFor those made ill by the cyclospora outbreak, medical professionals who care for the sick, and epidemiologists who monitor outbreaks…<\/p>\n

Events and observances:<\/b>
\nJuly observances: Disability Pride Month, National BIPOC Mental Health Month<\/p>\n

Bartolom\u00e9 de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies (July 17)
\nMary Magdalene, apostle (July 22)
\nJames, apostle (July 25)
\nAnniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)<\/p>\n

Prayers from ELCA resources:<\/b>
\nA prayer for refugees, immigrants, migrants<\/em> (ACS p.50)
\nHoly God, as you have accompanied your people through times of captivity, wilderness, and exile, shelter and sustain all those who flee persecution, oppression, warfare, violence, hunger, and poverty. Open our hearts and homes, our gates and doors, so that they find safety, peace, and welcome\u2014a place to live in freedom and without fear; through Jesus Christ, our refuge and our hope. Amen.<\/p>\n

A prayer for those who are incarcerated<\/em> (ACS p.50)
\nMighty God, merciful and just: we pray for our jails, prisons, and detention centers, that they be places of fair and humane treatment for all. Lead us to end solitary confinement and other cruel and demeaning practices. Guide police and corrections officers, attorneys and judges to use wisely the power entrusted to them. Inspire prison worshiping communities and chaplains. Rouse us to eradicate racism, corruption, and greed in the criminal justice system. By your Spirit, transform our society, that the dignity and worth of every incarcerated person be honored. We ask this through your resurrected Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
\nWorship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026<\/a>
\nWorship resources in a time of war<\/a>
\nWorship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land<\/a>
\nWorship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis<\/a><\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship<\/a><\/em>
\nACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship<\/em> Supplement<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72\u201387) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46\u201355), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print<\/a> and online<\/a> by Augsburg Fortress. <\/em>Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer Ventures<\/a>, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“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. 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