Prayers for the Month

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. 

MARCH 2026 PRAYERS

1 Give thanks to God for the faith and gifts of hymn writers, musicians, choir members and directors of music ministries who help us express our praise, thanksgiving, joy and petitions to God.

2 Women’s History Month Remember, celebrate and give thanks for the contributions, achievements, leadership, wisdom and gifts of women and girls in the church, our communities and the world throughout history. Remember in prayer women who have been present and influential in your life, including parents, grandparents, pastors and deacons, teachers, youth ministers, outdoor ministry staff, neighbors and friends.

3 Remember in prayer the bishops of our church as they gather for the spring Conference of Bishops meeting. Give thanks for their faith, gifts, wisdom and careful deliberation, which God uses to benefit and guide the church and its leaders.

4 “Grace knocks us flat, preventing any form of self-congratulation. All the good we achieve is to be attributed to God rather than to ourselves” (Kathryn Tanner, Christ the Key). Ask the Spirit to help us embrace the free, undeserved gift of grace — love, forgiveness and new life — that is made real to us through baptism and the life, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5 Remember in prayer those recovering from winter storms and flooding in various regions of our country, that they will receive support, encouragement and resources from neighbors, communities of faith, and disaster relief agencies and ministries, including Lutheran Disaster Response.

6 World Day of Prayer Take time today to pray for siblings of Christ around the world. Give thanks for this vast ecumenical community of faith that is called and equipped by the Spirit to do God’s work in the world — together.

7 Pray for young adults who are considering or have applied to be volunteers in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program for 2026-27, a yearlong opportunity for international service and ministry alongside our companion churches and organizations.

8 When Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman drawing water at a well, he reveals himself to be the promised Messiah, the truth and source of living water — love, mercy, new life and salvation. Pray that we will demonstrate gratitude and joy to God by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all people, including family, neighbors, friends, strangers, immigrants and refugees of all cultures, nationalities and life experiences.

9 Pray for the ministries and organizations that help us understand the value and fragility of creation and the environment. Bless their work as they remind us of our responsibility to be grateful, wise and responsible stewards of these gifts from God — gifts that nourish us and sustain all living things. Remember in prayer the ministries of synod creation care teams, Lutherans Restoring Creation, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, the Creation Care Network, ELCA Advocacy and Creation Justice Ministries.

10 Pray for Women of the ELCA to flourish in its ministry of helping women grow in faith, discover their gifts, and encourage one another to engage in ministry and promote healing and wholeness in the church, society and world.

11 Pray that the Spirit will guide our Lenten reflections on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world. Pray that we do not shy away from making personal and community sacrifices to help us focus on loving and serving others, especially neighbors who long for relief and hope from poverty, hunger, illness and injustice.

12 Remember in prayer those in your community whose work does not earn them a living wage, that they will find meaningful employment that provides for their daily needs. Ask the Spirit to inspire and guide our acts of care, compassion and support, that they may be truly impactful and honor the dignity and gifts of our neighbor.

13 Pray for the ministry of deacons. Give thanks for the new agreement between The Episcopal Church and the ELCA that welcomes the exchange of deacons.

14 Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with The Episcopal Church, a full communion partner since 1999. Pray for the church, its members and leaders, that together we will find strength and resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor, especially in these challenging times for the church and society.

15 Pray that the Spirit will strengthen our faith in God’s ability to open our eyes to God’s presence and activity in the world.

16 Reflect on your baptism and give thanks that you were — and continue to be — born anew in God’s love and forgiveness, welcomed into a community of those who follow Christ, and set free to love and serve all people.

17 “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:8-9). Lent can feel dark and dispiriting when we reflect on human inadequacy and Jesus’ suffering and death, but the promise that we are children of light saved by the love of the risen Christ is wonderful. Give thanks and praise to God!

18 Pray that the Spirit will guide and inspire those across the church who are planning the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, as well as the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event, the tAble event for youth living with disabilities, and the Young Adult Gathering.

19 Pray for leaders who serve on the ELCA Church Council as they gather to enable and support our church for doing God’s work in the world with thoughtfulness, integrity, respect, and through partnerships with denominations and organizations that share a common vision.

20 First day of spring Ask God to direct our attention to those things in nature and humanity that stir our hope, wonder and joy, reminding us of our awesome Creator from whom all things flow. Pray that we will radiate hope, compassion and the good news of Jesus Christ through our faith, values, words and actions.

21 Give thanks and praise to God who walks with us throughout life to guide, comfort, nourish and restore us through its twists, turns and challenges.

22 Pray for the Spirit to deepen our understanding and faith in God’s power over death, which enables us to enjoy eternal life with our siblings in Christ in the kingdom of God.

23 Praise God for our siblings in Christ around the world who are of the same loving Creator, redeemed by Jesus Christ and united in a global community of faith nourished and sustained by the Spirit. Pray that God will help us discover new ways to work together, share resources and nurture leaders to share the gospel and serve our neighbors in need — everywhere.

24 Remember in prayer our companion churches, siblings in Christ and neighbors in Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Belize.

25 “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications” (Psalm 130:1-2). Lift up your problems, worries and fears to God, trusting that your prayers are never too small, complicated or unimportant to be heard by God who cares deeply for each of us.

26 Give thanks for the ELCA Lay Schools for Ministry program that creates in-person and virtual opportunities for lifelong learning, which inspire biblical and theological literacy, gospel fluency, and daily vocation and ministry.

27 Ask the Spirit to renew and sustain our faith, hope, sense of purpose and loyalty to a dependable God who sacrificed everything through Jesus Christ that we might live. Pray that we will be mindful that God has called us to be compassionate and trustworthy in sharing the gospel and loving and serving our neighbors.

28 Pray for leaders who serve in youth and family ministries, that they will be supported and affirmed for their work of caring for youth, nurturing faith, encouraging service, and helping young people discover and use their gifts.

29 Palm Sunday Praise God that the humility with which Jesus enters Jerusalem demonstrates a powerful love for us that is down to earth yet undeterred by the stress, chaos, injustice and uncertainty of the world. As an act of faith, we give thanks and pray that we will follow his example.

30 Who are we? Imperfect people wonderfully created by a perfect God who calls us children, loves us dearly and is faithful to us. Offer up prayers of joy and thanksgiving!

31 Give thanks for faith-based preschool and early childhood education programs that provide safe and nurturing environments where children experience God’s love and promises, grow confident, learn valuable skills and thrive.