These petitions are offered as guides 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. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
Prayer Ventures for June 2026
1 Give thanks to God for grandparents and older adults — their service and impact are significant. Pray that we support them with gratitude and encouragement as our siblings in Christ and as neighbors with wisdom, compassion and valuable gifts to contribute to the well-being and richness of congregations, communities and families.
2 Mental Health Awareness Month Pray for those who live with mental illness, that they will have access to appropriate medical help and will experience understanding, support, respect and total inclusion in the church and society as beloved and gifted children of God.
3 Pride Month Give thanks to God for the gifts, wisdom, leadership and faith of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and siblings in Christ. Ask the Spirit to embolden us as we work together for justice, total inclusion and love for humanity in all its diversity.
4 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin, Florida-Bahamas Synod, New England Synod, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and Northwestern Pennsylvania 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
5 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Delaware-Maryland, Eastern North Dakota, Lower Susquehanna, Metropolitan Chicago, Northeastern Ohio, Southwestern Minnesota and West Virginia-Western Maryland synods, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
6 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Central/Southern Illinois, Central States, Indiana-Kentucky, La Crosse Area, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Upper Susquehanna synods, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
7 “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9). Pray for the Spirit to strengthen our trust in God’s ability to see in us special qualities and gifts valuable for doing God’s work in the world.
8 Ask God to sustain the hope of individuals and communities rebuilding in the aftermath of tornados, floods and wildfires — here and around the world. Give thanks for those who volunteer their time, skills and resources to help with the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of disaster recovery and building resiliency.
9 Remember in prayerthe 4,000 young adults who lead summer camp programs at our 112 Lutheran outdoor ministry sites across the United States and Puerto Rico, programs that include youth camps, adult and family camps, travel and adventure camps, day camps, servant learning events and more.
10 “Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts” (Psalm 33:2-3). Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving for cantors, church musicians and choirs that help us express our faith, joys and laments when we gather for worship.
11 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Grand Canyon and South Carolina synods, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
12 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northern Illinois and Southwestern Pennsylvania synods, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
13 Remember in prayer individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, that their faith, gifts and abilities will be valued and affirmed in the church and society. Give thanks for the work, services and advocacy of ELCA Disability Ministries and the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network.
14 Thank God forcalling, equipping and sending us into our communities and the world, accompanied by our siblings in Christ, our global companions, our ecumenical partners and organizations that share our vision of serving neighbors in need and doing God’s work in the world — together.
15 Give thanks forthose who make you laugh and smile, lifting your spirits.
16 “Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, ‘God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me’” (Genesis 21:5-6). Call upon the Spirit to help us be alert and receptive in those moments when we think something is impossible or absurd and God’s presence and actions take us by surprise.
17 “Listen to the word that God has spoken; listen to the One who is close at hand; listen to the voice that began creation; listen even if you don’t understand” (ACS 974). Pray that we will slow down and listen for what God says to us in Scripture, during worship, through nature and in conversation with our neighbors and siblings in Christ — including strangers.
18 Thursdays in Black Pray for an end to gender violence and resolve to wear black every Thursday as a symbol of solidarity with the World Council of Churches’ global movement to resist attitudes and practices that permit violence and rape. Promise to advocate tirelessly for the safe, respectful treatment of women, men, boys and girls in homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
19 Juneteenth This day of celebration, dating back to June 19, 1865, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Give thanks and praise to God for creating humankind in all its diversity, and ask God’s forgiveness for acquiescing to fear, suspicion, intolerance and unjust treatment of others. Pray for the Spirit to help us as we work to end racism and racial inequity in the church and society.
20 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the Allegheny Synod assembly, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.
21 Ask the Spirit to stir wisdom, love and patience in fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers and fathers-to-be, that their children will be compassionate and resilient and know the joy of God’s presence in their lives.
22 Our gifts to ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Responsehelp them respond to neighbors who can’t afford the food they need. Pray that our faith will prompt us to generously support hunger relief initiatives such as the World Hunger Daily Bread Grants, which support feeding ministries of ELCA congregations.
23 Every day is a day to celebrate and proclaim the risen Christ! Give thanks for the undeserved gift of God’s enduring love and forgiveness that we receive through Jesus Christ, our Savior, shepherd and teacher.
24 Pray that we will not accept violence as normal or too complex to confront and change. Thank God for the power and resources we have when communities work together to prevent violence and address its root causes.
25 God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit in us. Give praise and thanks to God!
26 Remember in prayerrefugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers who fear war, violence, injustice, and political and religious persecution, and who seek safe, welcoming communities where they can flourish.
27 Pray that we will inspire others by exemplifying peace, justice, forgiveness, love and service in our communities, nation and world. Give thanks for ELCA justice and peace ministries and for resources, advocacy and initiatives that deepen our understanding of God’s justice.
28 Pray for the Gathering Expeditions, regional retreats for youth and their adult leaders to delve into questions of faith, purpose, identity and calling as they prepare for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, Minn.
29 Lift up prayers of thanksgiving for the certainty of God’spresence and grace, evident from the love and forgiveness we know in Jesus Christ. Resolve to share, far and wide, the message of God’s love and care for us.
30 Ask God to make our relationships and social networks healthy, caring and resilient, and pray that the Spirit will inspire us to foster these qualities in our relationships.
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 