Prayer Ministry

Daily Prayer Ventures

October 2025

1 Pray for scientists, pastors, science teachers and others who explore the intersection of faith and science through the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology. Ask for God’s wisdom to discern the benefits, consequences and use of technology to promote the well-being of humankind, communities and creation.

2 Ask the Spirit to guide and bless members of the ELCA Church Council as they support the work and mission of the ELCA churchwide organization. Give thanks to God for their faith, gifts and diligence.

3 Remember in prayer youth and adult leaders gathering for the ELCA Gathering Expedition retreat at Lutherhill Camp in La Grange, Texas. Pray that their weekend together will nurture faith, stir questions and discussions, and connect them more deeply with one another — siblings in Christ who find strength and nourishment in community.

4 Today the Rev. Yehiel Curry is being installed as presiding bishop of our church. Give thanks to God for faithful leaders who inspire and guide our church to be passionate, creative and tireless in proclaiming the gospel and doing God’s work in the world.

5 Pray for the Spirit to guide and inspire those gathered for the Conference of Bishops as they worship and study together, advise the presiding bishop on churchwide planning and ecumenical relations, review proposals for the ELCA Church Council, and work on matters related to rostered ministers.

6 “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you’” (Luke 17:5-6). Praise God for judging us not by the depth of our faith but through a lens of love, forgiveness and concern for us as treasured children.

7 Give thanks for ELCA Youth Ministry and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Pray for their faith formation programs, leadership training events and resources for youth, and for leaders serving in children, youth and family ministries.

8 In the first eight months of this year, there were 292 mass shootings and more than 28,400 gun-related injuries and deaths (gunviolencearchive.org). Pray for those who suffer grief and trauma due to gun violence or accidental shootings. Ask God to help us be steadfast and wise in our advocacy to end gun violence and our care for those impacted.

9 Give thanks for our siblings in Christ — near and far — with whom we join in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, who frees us from the bondage of death, gives life, renews our hope and sets us on a path of compassion, service and generosity. 

10 Pray for musicians and worship leaders participating in the Music that Makes Community retreat in Albuquerque, N.M., that they will sharpen their skills for leading songs and instrumental music in faith communities.

21 “The time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Pray that the Spirit will give us insight and guidance when we struggle to distinguish God’s truth from the falsehoods that lead us astray.

22 Ask God to strengthen and sustain those who work for peace between nations, including diplomats, negotiators, religious leaders and heads of state. Pray that they will find new ways to work though impasses, implement just and lasting peace agreements, and address the needs of those impacted by war and civil conflict.

23 Pray for congregations going through challenging times, that they will find resources and assistance to renew their sense of mission and their resolve to be God’s loving presence in their communities.

24 Pray for Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, that his faith, his ministry experiences and the counsel of his siblings in Christ will inspire wisdom and equip him for guiding our church and its leaders to be persistent and creative in proclaiming God’s restorative love.

25 Ask God to help us create safe and uplifting communities of faith where all people can gather to hear the word of God, share the good news of Jesus, celebrate God’s amazing love and promises, care for one another and encourage one another to follow Christ in our daily lives.

 26  Reformation Sunday  Give thanks for our living, growing and changing church, which asserts its identity and purpose in the good news of Jesus Christ — God’s free gift of grace and new life for the world.

27 Pray for refugees and immigrants in our country and throughout the world, that they will be welcomed by communities and churches that accompany them through the challenges of rebuilding their lives.

28 Pray for Racial Justice Ministries of the ELCA and give thanks for a gospel proclaiming that Christ’s church is for all people. Ask God for the courage to confront racism and seek fairness and justice in the church and society.

29 Lift up prayers of thanksgiving and joy that in God we find strength, life, happiness, hope, and an eternal home.

30 Remember in prayer students who experience difficulties in school — academic, emotional, physical or social. Pray that they will receive care and support from teachers, counselors and peers so that they will grow confident and thrive.

31 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the Allegheny Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need. 

Daily Prayer Ventures

November 2025

1  All Saints Day  Today we remember, honor and pray for saints, those people of faith in the cloud of witnesses — past and present, known and unknown — who have died and now rest in the mercy of God.

2  All Saints Sunday  Who have you lost in your life? A family member, spouse, friend, neighbor, co-worker, a fellow congregant? Reflect on their significance in your life and community, and give thanks, praying that their memory and influence endure.

3 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). Ask God for the faith and courage to follow Jesus when he implores us to resist human nature and social influences that drive us to vengeance, malice and judgment. Pray that our words, actions and decisions reflect God’s boundless love for us—for humanity.

4 Pray for the Spirit to temper our emotions and actions when we experience conflicts of opinions, values, religious belief or political ideology. Ask God to help us relate to one another without violence or belligerence—despite our differences—and to engage one another with attention, respect, attentive listening, dialogue and, when possible, reconciliation and compromise.

5 The Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills is the new secretary of the ELCA. Ask the Spirit to strengthen and prepare Rev. Mills for her ministry of supporting and equipping ELCA leaders in congregations, synods and the churchwide organization.

6 Praise God for helping us respond with love and generosity to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. Give thanks for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of our church that manages our generosity, resources and partnerships with other organizations for maximum immediate and long-term impacts.

7 Give thanks to God for the promise of an eternal inheritance, attained not by the quality of our faith or good deeds but through God’s undeserved gift of love and redemption through Jesus Christ, our one true Saviour.

8 “Dear Lord God, I want to preach so that you are glorified. I want to speak of you, praise you, praise your name. Although I probably cannot make it turn out well, won’t you make it turn out well?” (Martin Luther). Pray that we will have an unquenchable desire to tell others about our faith and God’s boundless love—in our own words, inspired by the Spirit.

9 We are children of God and children of the resurrection! Pray for the Spirit to help us comprehend and celebrate our life in Christ, which is not limited to our short life on earth but extends into eternity with God.

10 Remember in prayer those attending the Outdoor Ministries Connection Great Gathering in Lake Junaluska, N.C., an ecumenical conference for outdoor ministry leaders and board members to help them strengthen their networks, develop their skills and be inspired for ministry with children, youth and adults.

22 Give thanks to God and pray for those who attend to our physical, emotional, social and spiritual health, helping us to live life as fully as possible: doctors, nurses, medical technicians, hospice workers, researchers, pharmacists, therapists, social workers and others.

23 Lift up prayers of thanksgiving for 25 years of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program, which has sent over a thousand young adults on yearlong journeys of global fellowship, ministry and service with our companion ministries. Pray that we continue to generously support for the YAGM program, that it might thrive as young adults continue to do God’s work in the world.

24 In 2024, 673 million people in the world faced hunger; 2.3 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity; and 2.6 billion people could not afford a healthy diet. Pray for our neighbors here and throughout the world who suffer hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. Ask the Spirit to inspire us to support and join existing endeavors and to develop new ministries that will provide relief and address the root causes of hunger.

25 Ask God to help us be grateful, wise and effective stewards of creation, understanding our connection to all living things and teaching others to care for our environment and natural resources — life-sustaining gifts from God entrusted to our use and care.

26 Give thanks for ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, the Lutheran World Federation and other partner agencies that work on our behalf to address the causes of hunger and poverty worldwide and to provide our neighbors with relief, care, support and hope.

27 Thanksgiving Day  Praise God for the gifts that sustain our body and spirit — food, shelter, family, friends, faith communities, the bounty of creation, God’s love and forgiveness, and so much more. Remember and give thanks for those who plant, cultivate, harvest, prepare and deliver the food that nourishes us.

28 Pray for our neighbors and siblings in Christ who lack safe shelter and wonder how their basic, daily needs will be met. Ask God to help us be attentive to their immediate and long-term needs and be diligent in seeking solutions to the dearth of affordable housing and access to social services in our communities — solutions that respect the value, rights and dignity of our neighbors in need.

29 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). Have faith that God listens to prayerful conversations that express our gratitude, needs, worries, questions, excitement and hopes — today and every day!

30 First Sunday of Advent: Hope. Pray that, in the upcoming month, we will turn our attention to anticipating and rejoicing in the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ, brought into the world to shine a light on God’s awesome love and forgiveness.

Morning: PRAY 

Four steps for a good morning prayer can be remembered by the acronym –

PRAY: Praise, Reason, Ask, Yes

1. Paise God. Begin by thanking and praising God for keeping you through the night. Give thanks for God's great love.

2. Reason why God is giving you this day. What needs to be done by you today?

3. Ask God, for forgiveness and grace. Ask God for one gift today to help you be the best you can be.

4. Yes God! Tell God you are ready, willing, and able to accomplish the tasks for the day. Do your best and give God the rest.

Evening: GRIP

In the evening, get a grip on the day: 

GRIP: Gratitude, Recollection, Inventory, Prayers

1. Gratitude: Take a moment to thank God for giving you this day. Give thanks for God's great love for you. Where did God bless you today?

2. Recollection: Look back at the events of the day. Consider who you saw, what you did, where you went. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage to be truly soul-searching. Were you growing closer to God or further away?

3. Inventory: Take inventory of how the day went. Thank God for the good you have done. Ask forgiveness for any wrong you have done. Prepare to make some amendment for sins. Take a good look at your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Accept God's forgiveness and be at peace.

4. Prayers: Give to God all those who need your prayers. Let no boundaries stand in your way as you pray for yourself, your family and friends, the Church, the country, and the world.

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.