1 National Suicide Prevention Month  Suicide impacts people of all ages, especially youth and young adults. Pray for hope, relief from suffering and skilled, compassionate care for people who struggle with loneliness, depression and mental illness. Pray that they will find comfort and encouragement in knowing that God abandons no one. Ask God to bless and further the work of Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry and other organizations engaged in suicide awareness, education, collaboration and advocacy.

2 Pray that we will remember and affirm the diverse contributions of those who have helped shape and reform our nation throughout its history, especially as we celebrate its semiquincentennial. Ask the Spirit to help us learn from and change the laws, decisions and attitudes that oppress our neighbors, our siblings in Christ and all children of God.

3 Remember in prayer children whose families lack safe, consistent shelter, that they will find care, stability and security in school among their peers, teachers and school staff.

4 Ask God to stir nations and their leaders to seek peace where there is conflict and war, no matter how complicated or unattainable peace seems. Pray that peace accords, ceasefires and negotiations will foreground those who are displaced, terrorized and treated unjustly.

5 Pray for congregations’ fall programs and ministries, that their leaders and volunteers will strengthen people’s faith, deepen their understanding of Scripture, discern their gifts and nurture their sense of community.

6 Pray for the Spirit to give us patience, wisdom and an open mind when we clash with others, including our siblings in Christ. Pray that we will use wisdom and care in forging agreements, creating solutions and reaching compromises that are respectful and forgiving of one another.

7 Labor Day  On this day, pray for the work people do to sustain themselves and their families and to benefit their communities and society. Pray that all people will receive fair wages and benefits and work in safe environments; that they will know respect, gratitude, joy and fulfillment through their labor; and that they will be renewed through times of sabbath. Remember in prayer also those who seek employment or who cannot work.

8 Remember and pray for young adults who forego higher education in favor of skilled trade work, military service or volunteering. Give thanks for programs that engage young adults in volunteer and work opportunities, including Urban Servant Corps, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, outdoor ministries and Young Adults in Global Mission.

9 “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre” (Psalm 149:3). There are many ways to praise God through song and music; some are passed down through church tradition and others are created in response to culture and context. Give thanks to God for endowing us with diverse gifts and creativity to express our faith, love and awe.

10 Remember in prayer immigrants, asylum seekers and families pulled apart by immigration issues and political division. Give thanks for ministries that help us provide hope, relief, compassion, advocacy and accompaniment, including Global Refuge, Lutheran Disaster Response and the ELCA’s AMMPARO strategy (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities).

21 Lift up prayers of joy and thanksgiving for autumn and the changing seasons, which remind us of God’s creative presence and the complex interconnection of humankind and all creation. Let us express our gratitude and praise by wisely and responsibly stewarding all that has been entrusted to our care.

22 Give thanks and pray for our 65 synod bishops as they gather for the ELCA Conference of Bishops, that the Spirit will inspire their support of one another and guide the work and mission of our church through their prayer, worship, study, reflection and counsel.

23 Give thanks for our deaf neighbors and siblings in Christ. Pray for Deaf congregations, Deaf ministries, the Evangelical Lutheran Deaf Association and ELCA Disability Ministries as they work to develop local ministries, train leaders, provide resources and build relationships.

24 Aloud or silently, recite this prayer attributed to Martin Luther: “Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness does not reign over us, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty and every kind of friendliness, generosity and gentleness may reign in us. Amen.”

25 Pray for leaders of the ELCA, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other ecumenical partners as they gather for the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Baltimore, that they will deepen their understanding of stewardship, discover new resources and be equipped and encouraged to nurture generosity in congregations.

26 Pray for young adults who provide short- and long-term service to our church, our communities and the world through congregational ministries, outdoor ministries, disaster relief organizations and other groups (including Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Urban Servant Corps and Young Adults in Global Mission). Give thanks that they respond to God’s call to serve by sharing their faith, compassion, gifts and hunger for justice.

27 Ask the Spirit for words we might use to share with every generation the stories of God’s presence in our lives and in the world throughout history.

28 Pray for ELCA Lay Schools for Ministry, which help individuals deepen their faith, explore theology, grow as leaders, discover opportunities for serving in congregations and communities, and continue their baptismal journey of doing God’s work in the world.

29 Pray that, united in mind and spirit with our siblings in Christ, we might express our commitment to love, mercy, peace, justice, humility, generosity, caring for neighbors in need and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God and Savior of humankind.

30 “You have come down to the lakeshore seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy, but only asking for me to follow. Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name” (ELW 817; WOV 784). Praise God for seeking us out wherever we are and inviting us to follow as Christ’s disciples, called to trust, learn and serve — just as we are.

ﾠ1. Give Thanksﾠ

Pause and give thanks for something
in your day (even if it’s small).

Gratitude lets us see the light in our lives alongside the shadows. Acknowledging what we cherish gives us a sense of wonder and connects us to Love within us and around us. In this way, gratitude is one way we tell the truth about ourselves and our lives. It’s another way we say, “This matters to me.”

ﾠ2. Reviewﾠ

Review what happened in your day
and how you felt about it.

We don’t have to remember every detail, but a general recap of our day makes us more aware of our reality and emotions. This is especially helpful if we are on autopilot or feeling disconnected from ourselves, love, or others. Reviewing our day also helps us consider that Love speaks to us through our humanity (our thoughts, emotions, and bodies) and that we’re invited to listen to all of that.

ﾠ3. Reflectﾠ

Reflect on consolation
and desolation by asking: 

“When did I feel connected to
and disconnected from Love today?”

Holding the memories and feelings from the day, we now observe (without judgment) what sticks out and grabs our attention most. We listen to what brought us alive and made us feel most like ourselves. We call this feeling of being connected to Love and our true selves, consolation. And then we also listen, with equal attention, to what broke our heart, made us feel isolated, or ­misunderstood. We call this feeling of being disconnected from Love and our true selves, desolation. These deeper messages from our experiences and heart are often ways the Sacred invites us into deeper relationship, healing, and growth.

ﾠ4. Mendﾠ 

Listen to where you need mending
or need to make amends.

This step is about accountability and compassion. We sit in union with Love and consider where there was misunderstanding or pain in our day. We listen to where we need to make amends and commit to taking steps to do so. We also listen to where we need to speak up about our own needs or on behalf of someone else. Again, we commit to following up on these revelations when we end our practice.