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. 

OCTOBER 2026 PRAYERS

1 Pray for Lutherans Restoring Creation and the organization’s “creation care ambassadors,” who work with congregations and synods to protect natural resources entrusted to our use and to develop solutions for restoring and healing creation.

2 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Remember in prayer those living with disabilities who seek employment that affirms their gifts, abilities and passions. Ask for God’s help in modifying work environments, equipment, tasks and employment policies to encourage diverse abilities, create employment and leadership opportunities, and foster success and fulfillment in the workplace.

3 Ask God to stretch our understanding of who our neighbor is. Pray that we will show up and respond to anyone in need or suffering, be they a sibling in Christ, a friend, a stranger or someone far away.

4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Pray for the Spirit to stir within us humility, generosity and respect for our neighbors in need and for all living creatures — from microscopic organisms to massive whales. Give thanks for pets and service animals that provide joy, comfort, companionship and assistance.

5 Remember those who have suffered loss and are recovering from the devastation of earthquakes, floods, wildfires and tornadoes, especially in the Pacific Northwest, the western states, the Midwest, Colombia, Nepal and Venezuela. Give thanks for those who are quick to respond with emergency relief, support for immediate and long-term recovery, and grants, including Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, ecumenical partners, social ministry organizations and local relief networks.

6 Pray for the health and well-being of military personnel who are separated from family, friends and communities of faith while deployed for extended tours of duty around the world. Ask God to help us accompany and support their families and loved ones during their absence.

7 Remember in prayer immigrants and asylum seekers. Ask for guidance, wisdom and courage as we accompany these neighbors and siblings in Christ, helping them remain hopeful in the face of criticism and mistrust and supporting them through the complex process of becoming U.S. citizens.

8 “In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers From Prison). Ask the Spirit to help us show recognition and gratitude for those who enrich our lives through their care, wisdom, friendship, generosity and spiritual encouragement.

9 Give thanks for congregational ministries and community programs that attend to the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of older adults and that provide opportunities for them to use their gifts, faith, wisdom, experience and desire to serve others.

10 God has given us abundant resources to ensure that the hungry have access to nourishing, life-sustaining food. Pray that we will respond to their immediate needs, seek sustainable solutions, and advocate for our leaders, government and institutions to address the needs of our neighbors, especially children and youth, with compassion.

11 Ask God to help us go beyond the walls of our sanctuaries as we serve our neighbors in need and invite others to follow Jesus Christ. Ask the Spirit to stir our trust in God’s ability to use our unique gifts, skills and passions for ministry, especially when we doubt ourselves.

12 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Give thanks for Indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas and other parts of the world for thousands of years. Pray that we will not overlook them in our telling of history and that we will honor our church’s commitment to repentance, reconciliation, healing, respect and unity as children of God.

13 Pray for adult leaders and congregations as they prepare for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) and the tAble (for youth living with disabilities, and their caregivers). Ask the Spirit to guide their planning and stir their enthusiasm as they ready themselves to grow hope, build Christian community and inspire young people to boldly live their faith.

14 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). Pray that we will be alert to what is good, kind and admirable in the world, and give thanks and praise to God!

15 Give thanks for the work we do together through Lutheran Disaster Response and its partners to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of people and communities as they endure natural and human-caused disasters and crises here and around the world.

16 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3). Our shepherd loves us deeply, renews our faith, guides us along paths of truth, and was willing to sacrifice everything to restore our relationship with God. Lift up prayers of praise, joy and thanksgiving!

17 Give thanks for the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology and its network of scientists, science teachers, rostered ministers and lay leaders, and other people committed to expanding awareness of and promoting conversations about the implications of science and technology for Christian faith and life.

18 Ask the Spirit to help us along our baptismal journey so we might speak truth rather than deceive, show empathy and caring rather than callousness and indifference, practice mercy and forgiveness rather than retribution, and inspire others through our faith, hope, joy and compassion.

19 Ask God to bless Mission Builders, a ministry of our church that gathers people with diverse construction skills to help congregations, schools and outdoor ministries build and renew worship spaces, retreat centers and other facilities across the country.

20 Give thanks for farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers and others involved in the production, tending and harvesting of food. Remember in prayer those in other countries who produce and distribute food to us and other people around the world.

21 “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). Pray for siblings in Christ, congregations, synods and ecumenical companions with whom we share a common mission of proclaiming God’s saving grace, following Jesus Christ and spreading love, mercy, peace, justice and hope in the world.

22 Give thanks and pray for the leaders, teachers and volunteers of faith-based daycare centers and preschools where children learn, play, socialize and experience the joy and good news of God’s love and forgiveness.

23 Give thanks for the Resourceful Servants initiative of the ELCA, which encourages habits that strengthen the financial wellness of congregations, seminarians and rostered ministers.

24 Give thanks for the faith, gifts and wisdom that your synod staff shares with congregations, ministries and leaders, strengthening faith communities, serving neighbors in need, nurturing new ways to share the gospel, and doing God’s work in the world with joy and enthusiasm.

25 “[The lawyer asked,] ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ [Jesus] said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-39). Loveis at the core of who we are as children of God and followers of Christ. Offer each morning a prayer of commitment to express your love for God and your neighbor through words and actions.

26 As of Sept. 8, there have been approximately 8,963 murders, 16,620 injuries and 327 mass shootings related to gun violence. Remember in prayer those impacted by gun violence, especially the families and friends of victims. Ask the Spirit to help us provide long-term care and support for those impacted and to guide and sustain our efforts to prevent gun violence in our nation.

27 “Give me strength to face my ill, to trust in skill and care, to bless the hands that help me heal and find your spirit there” (ACS 1021). Praise God for being present with us in times of need through those who care for us — spiritually, physically and emotionally. Ask the Spirit to help us attend to the needs of those around us and to respond with respect, sensitivity, compassion and support.

28 Remember in prayer students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds who study at our seminaries, that their faith, knowledge and skills will be strengthened and sharpened for a life of proclaiming God’s love and mercy, nurturing faith and caring for neighbors and siblings in Christ.

29 Pray for those who lack consistent safe shelter, especially parents with children. Give thanks for congregations and community organizations that provide temporary and long-term shelter along with housing, meals and social services. Pray that their ministries will grow, expand and inspire others to join in the work of providing shelter.

30 Pray for youth, adults and volunteers arriving at Camp Ewalu in Iowa for the Gathering Expedition event, a time for them to explore faith, identity, purpose and leadership in their journey toward the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis.

31 Reformation Day Give thanks for the work of Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers who were inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirit, Scripture and prayer to renew the church through five convictions: Scripture alone, Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone and glory to God alone. Pray for the Spirit to help us consider how we might reform and renew our church for the sake of doing God’s work in the world.