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 May 2026
1 Pray for leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Arkansas-Oklahoma, Minneapolis Area and Southwestern Texas 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.
2 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the Southeastern Minnesota 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.
3 “Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me” (Psalm 31:2). Give thanks that God is with us through every twist and turn of life, strengthening our faith, inspiring our courage, guiding our journeys and renewing our spirit.
4 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Praise God for Asian and Pacific Islander members, congregations and ministries of the ELCA, which represent a diversity of cultures, languages and heritages. Pray for the ELCA’s Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders, which mentors leaders, lifts the voices of different communities and supports full participation in the life of the church.
5 Pray for the Spirit to stir in us a spirit of love, mercy and peace that prevails when conflicts and personal differences motivate us to harm, discredit or dismiss one another.
6 Pray for an end to war and conflict, that we might focus our attention and resources on those who are suffering, living in fear, yearning for stability or pining for home.
7 National Day of Prayer Today, with our siblings in Christ across the United States, we pledge our service as public witnesses, proclaiming to all people and nations God’s loving, life-restoring deeds.
8 Remember in prayer all college and university students as they prepare for their final exams, that they will find encouragement and renewal among their peers, in campus ministries and in other faith communities that understand the unique needs and pressures they face.
9 Pray that we will open our senses to the beauty, diversity and mysteries of creation — from microbes in the soil to vast mountain ranges to distant galaxies. Give thanks for God’s boundless power and rejoice at God’s handiwork in nature.
10 God has notabandoned us to stumble through our life and baptismal journey alone. The Spirit is always with us, drawing us into community with all others who follow Jesus Christ. Praise God!
11 “You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through. Great and mighty are you, O Holy One” (Marty Haugen, “Holden Evening Prayer”). Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God for showing you grace and for blessing your life so that you might be a blessing to others.
12 Pray for those who are suffering, grieving or seeking help. Ask the Spirit to guide your efforts as you respond not with judgement but with love, care and sensitivity.
13 Pray for ministries and community programs thatprovide education and counseling for parents, day care and youth ministry for children, shelter and services for families that are homeless, and time and space for every family to grow in faith together.
14 Ascension of Our Lord Ask for God’s patience as our faith matures, deepening our appreciation for what God has given all humanity through Jesus Christ. Pray that the Spirit will clarify for us God’s enduring love and forgiveness, the gift of salvation and how we might live in community.
15 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the assemblies of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod, Saint Paul Area Synod, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, South-Central Synod of Wisconsin and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast 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.
16 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for theNorthern Great Lakes 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.
17 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for theSoutheastern Iowa 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.
18 Pray for our siblings in Christ, both in our congregations and around the world, who share our heritage and accompany us in our baptismal journeys as we do God’s work in the world together.
19 Give thanks for the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology and for scientists, science teachers, researchers and church leaders who work to explain the implications of science and technology for Christian faith.
20 Ask God to bless the work of ELCA Global Mission, Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA Advocacy Network, AMMPARO, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries and other programs and ministries of our church.
21 Remember in prayer young adults and professional leaders as they prepare to serve campers of all ages and abilities in Lutheran outdoor ministries across the country. Pray for the Spirit to nurture their enthusiasm for doing God’s work this summer.
22 Give thanks for the ELCAPrison Reentry and Advocacy Network, which provides leaders, resources and opportunities for congregations and individuals to accompany people in prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. Pray that our congregations will welcome and support those working to reclaim their lives after incarceration.
23 “In hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24-25). Ask the Spirit to strengthen our faith in God’s promises and in what Jesus Christ taught us. Pray for reassurance when we feel pressured to prove our faith and defend our beliefs.
24 Day of Pentecost Give thanks for the Holy Spirit, through which we invite people of all nations, races, genders, cultures, languages and ages to believe in God’s love, mercy and presence in the world. Praise God for the rich diversity of humanity, which yields a variety of gifts for sharing the gospel, serving our neighbors and growing the church.
25 Memorial Day Remember, mourn and give thanks for those in the military who gave their lives for justice, peace and the freedom of our country and all nations. Pray for the safety of those currently serving in the military and for the well-being of their families.
26 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the Upstate New York 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.
27 “There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Diversity and interdependence are essential qualities of creation and humanity, to be valued and affirmed, not feared, disparaged or eliminated. Lift up prayers of recognition and thanksgiving for God’s wisdom!
28 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the assemblies of the North Carolina and Southeastern 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.
29 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the assemblies of the Greater Milwaukee, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Southeast Michigan, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southwest California and Western North Dakota 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.
30 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the assemblies of the New Jersey, Northwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Ohio 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.
31 Remember in prayer students departing from their colleges or universities to seek employment, pursue their vocations, serve as volunteers, raise families, enlist in military service or otherwise face the future.
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 