50 Days of Prayer
Preparing for the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Prayers for Wisdom in Discernment
Download the 50 Days of Prayer:
For the 50 days leading up to Aug. 17, this church is invited to pray for wisdom in discernment for the ELCA and voting members of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Prayers, scripture readings and hymns will be posted below.
Read the Presiding Bishop's call to prayer
How does it work?
For seven weeks leading up to the assembly, this church will be invited into prayer for the ELCA, for the voting members who will gather in Minneapolis and for wisdom in discernment. The guide includes suggestions for:
- Daily prayer starting June 29.
- Weekly prayer with scripture readings taken from the daily lectionary of the assembly with reflection questions, a prayer and a refection hymn.
- Sunday prayers with a petition for the Prayers of Intercession for the Sundays from June 28 - Aug. 6 and one for each Aug. 16 and Aug. 23.
These prayer resources are available for use by individuals, small groups or as a congregation-wide initiative.
I invite you to join in 50 days of renewed and focused prayer around the Scriptures that will be used at the assembly, when your co-workers in the Gospel are daily gathered, centered and sent into mission.
- ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson's Call to 50 Days of Prayer
Daily Prayer
One of the following prayers or another prayer might be prayed for this church on each of the 50 days leading up to the assembly, beginning on June 29, 2009:
O God, you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us the light of the Holy Spirit.
Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the light of that Spirit,
that we might have a right judgment in all things
and rejoice at all times in your peace;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
(Adapted from ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, Opening of an Assembly.)
Or
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church.
Fill it with all truth and peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it;
where in anything it is amiss, reform it;
where it is right, strengthen it; where it is divided, reunite it;
for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
Or
Almighty God, grant to your Church your Holy Spirit
and the wisdom which comes down from heaven,
that your Word may not be bound but have free course
and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people,
that in steadfast faith we may serve you
and in the confession of your name may abide to the end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Lutheran Book of Worship)
Weekly Prayer
During the week, individually or in groups, take time to read the assigned scriptures that will form the daily lectionary at the Churchwide Assembly. Spend some time in reflection. Consider the listed questions specific to each of the weekly readings.
You might also ask general questions such as the following as you reflect on all these texts:
- What is God up to in these texts, how do they show forth Christ? What do they say about God, us, and our world?
- How do these texts send us and equip our witness?
- As I hear these texts, what would I be concerned about or what person or situation might I see differently than I do now?
Conclude with the prayer listed for that week, which will also be used at the assembly, or another prayer. If you are in a group, consider singing the reflection hymn or another song together. (Each week's readings, prayer and hymn suggestions are available for download in the right-hand column.)
Sunday Prayers
The following are suggested petitions that may be included in the Prayers of Intercession for all worshiping assemblies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Sundays, June 28–Aug. 6, 2009
O God, you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us the light of the Holy Spirit.
Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the light of that Spirit,
as this church prepares to gather in assembly,
that we might have a right judgment in all things
and rejoice at all times in your peace;
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
(or alternate response according to the congregation’s practice.)
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 16, 2009
Let us pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
and its members who gather this week in its Churchwide Assembly.
Inspire the celebration of God’s varied works throughout the church.
Instill your peace in the midst of anxious deliberations.
Shape the work of the church according to your will for the whole world.
God of mercy,
hear our prayer.
(or alternate response according to the congregation’s practice.)
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 23, 2009
Holy One, you formed the church
to announce the words of eternal life to the world.
Equip the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
which concludes its Churchwide Assembly today
to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Gather the church together into one body
for the sake of our shared mission to tell of the love of God.
Filled with your Word, turn the church inside out
so that we might use our hands to do God’s work in the world.
God of mercy,
hear our prayer.
(or alternate response according to the congregation’s practice.)