1 Give thanks for the ELCA’s commitment to being an inviting and welcoming church that reflects and embraces the diversity of our communities and the gifts and opportunities it brings. Pray that we will always be learning and reforming, discerning how to do God’s work in a diverse world, and inviting and equipping one another for this essential work.

 

2 Pray for seasonal workers who depend on summer income for their livelihood, that they will find safe, fulfilling employment that pays a fair wage. Pray that we will express our gratitude and respect for their work and service.

 

3 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the Upstate New York and North Carolina synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

4 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the Western North Dakota, Southwest California, Central/Southern Illinois, Montana, Delaware-Maryland, Metropolitan Washington, D.C.outh Dakota, Central States, Southern Ohio, Allegheny and Lower Susquehanna synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

5 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the Nebraska, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Southwestern Texas, Southeastern and Metropolitan Chicago synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

6 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assembly of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

7 Give thanks that — through grace, faith in Christ and obedience to the will and ways of God — we are embraced as children of God, siblings in Christ.

 

8 Pray for nations experiencing repeated waves of COVID-19 infection and communities impacted and struggling, and pray that their health care workers, medical facilities and efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible will slow the pandemic.

 

9 Pray that we will be patient and attentive to how God answers our prayers and speaks to us, especially in ways we do not seek or expect.

 

10 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assembly of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

11 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the Grand Canyon, Northeastern Ohio, La Crosse Area, Indiana-Kentucky, and Northwestern Pennsylvania synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

12 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the New England, Virginia and Northeastern Iowa synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

13 When we read the parables of Jesus, we sometimes default to rote explanations of their meaning. Pray that we will hear and read Scripture with hearts and minds open to learning, insight and fresh connection to our daily life.

 

14 Give thanks for ELCA resources that nurture our faith and spiritual growth during times of physical distancing, including Living Lutheran magazine, blogs and newsletters, daily Bible readings and ELCA World Hunger’s at-home vacation Bible school program guide.

 

15 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Give thanks and praise to God for reminding us that we are made new each day through God’s mercy and grace.

 

16 Pray for the Spirit to inspire us to create and share new expressions of our faith and theology through art, music and writing that speak to all generations and the diverse contexts of people in our communities.

 

17 Give thanks all day long to God for God’s unwavering love and the joy and hope it stirs within us, which overflows to the people around us.

 

18 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the assemblies of the Northern Illinois and Caribbean synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

19 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

20 Pray that God’s power, presence and love will ease our fears and uncertainties, calm the storms in our lives and strengthen our faith so that we will be bold and tireless disciples who do God’s work in the world, share the gospel and serve our neighbor.

 

21 Remember in prayer fathers who strive to be loving, caring, wise and influential parents, including fathers who are new parents or single parents, who are deployed in the military or incarcerated, or who experience separation from family while traveling for their work.

 

22 Give thanks and praise for God’s great works and attention to our prayers, both when we are alone and when we gather as a community of faith.

 

23 Pray for the 300-plus health and human service organizations of the Lutheran Services in America alliance, which serve 6 million people every year across our country in response to God’s call to love our neighbors of all ages, needs and circumstances.

 

24 We acknowledge that it is not always easy to follow Christ, bear the gospel or do God’s work in the world. Give thanks that together, as siblings in Christ, we can turn to one another with our burdens and receive support and encouragement.

 

25 Pause today and take in the wonders of God’s creation. Give thanks for the joy, wonder and awesome complexity of nature and the universe, and ask God to help us be mindful, responsible and respectful stewards of creation.

 

26 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the South Carolina Synod Assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.

 

27 Pray that we will serve our neighbors and invite others to believe and to join our communities of faith without bias, judgment, hesitation, obstruction or condition.

 

28 Pray for God’s strength, comfort and vision when we are weary or overwhelmed or cannot see beyond times of despair; ask the Spirit to fill us with faith, hope and empathy so that we can support, care for and encourage our neighbors who are struggling.

 

29 Guided by the generous, compassionate and kind actions of Jesus, ask the Spirit to fill us with eagerness to work together and share our abundance with our neighbors so that all will have the resources, food and opportunities needed to thrive and be well.

 

30 Ask God to help us reflect on our nation, its history, its institutions and this church with honesty, humility, repentance and gratitude, united in our vision and determined to be more just, equitable, inclusive and responsive to our neighbors in need.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

Amen

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. 

On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen