Prayer Ministry

Daily Prayer Ventures

October 2025

1 Pray for scientists, pastors, science teachers and others who explore the intersection of faith and science through the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology. Ask for God’s wisdom to discern the benefits, consequences and use of technology to promote the well-being of humankind, communities and creation.

2 Ask the Spirit to guide and bless members of the ELCA Church Council as they support the work and mission of the ELCA churchwide organization. Give thanks to God for their faith, gifts and diligence.

3 Remember in prayer youth and adult leaders gathering for the ELCA Gathering Expedition retreat at Lutherhill Camp in La Grange, Texas. Pray that their weekend together will nurture faith, stir questions and discussions, and connect them more deeply with one another — siblings in Christ who find strength and nourishment in community.

4 Today the Rev. Yehiel Curry is being installed as presiding bishop of our church. Give thanks to God for faithful leaders who inspire and guide our church to be passionate, creative and tireless in proclaiming the gospel and doing God’s work in the world.

5 Pray for the Spirit to guide and inspire those gathered for the Conference of Bishops as they worship and study together, advise the presiding bishop on churchwide planning and ecumenical relations, review proposals for the ELCA Church Council, and work on matters related to rostered ministers.

6 “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you’” (Luke 17:5-6). Praise God for judging us not by the depth of our faith but through a lens of love, forgiveness and concern for us as treasured children.

7 Give thanks for ELCA Youth Ministry and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Pray for their faith formation programs, leadership training events and resources for youth, and for leaders serving in children, youth and family ministries.

8 In the first eight months of this year, there were 292 mass shootings and more than 28,400 gun-related injuries and deaths (gunviolencearchive.org). Pray for those who suffer grief and trauma due to gun violence or accidental shootings. Ask God to help us be steadfast and wise in our advocacy to end gun violence and our care for those impacted.

9 Give thanks for our siblings in Christ — near and far — with whom we join in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, who frees us from the bondage of death, gives life, renews our hope and sets us on a path of compassion, service and generosity. 

10 Pray for musicians and worship leaders participating in the Music that Makes Community retreat in Albuquerque, N.M., that they will sharpen their skills for leading songs and instrumental music in faith communities.

21 “The time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Pray that the Spirit will give us insight and guidance when we struggle to distinguish God’s truth from the falsehoods that lead us astray.

22 Ask God to strengthen and sustain those who work for peace between nations, including diplomats, negotiators, religious leaders and heads of state. Pray that they will find new ways to work though impasses, implement just and lasting peace agreements, and address the needs of those impacted by war and civil conflict.

23 Pray for congregations going through challenging times, that they will find resources and assistance to renew their sense of mission and their resolve to be God’s loving presence in their communities.

24 Pray for Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry, that his faith, his ministry experiences and the counsel of his siblings in Christ will inspire wisdom and equip him for guiding our church and its leaders to be persistent and creative in proclaiming God’s restorative love.

25 Ask God to help us create safe and uplifting communities of faith where all people can gather to hear the word of God, share the good news of Jesus, celebrate God’s amazing love and promises, care for one another and encourage one another to follow Christ in our daily lives.

 26  Reformation Sunday  Give thanks for our living, growing and changing church, which asserts its identity and purpose in the good news of Jesus Christ — God’s free gift of grace and new life for the world.

27 Pray for refugees and immigrants in our country and throughout the world, that they will be welcomed by communities and churches that accompany them through the challenges of rebuilding their lives.

28 Pray for Racial Justice Ministries of the ELCA and give thanks for a gospel proclaiming that Christ’s church is for all people. Ask God for the courage to confront racism and seek fairness and justice in the church and society.

29 Lift up prayers of thanksgiving and joy that in God we find strength, life, happiness, hope, and an eternal home.

30 Remember in prayer students who experience difficultiesin school — academic, emotional, physical or social. Pray that they will receive care and support from teachers, counselors and peers so that they will grow confident and thrive.

31 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the Allegheny 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 and serve our neighbors in need. 

Morning: PRAY 

Four steps for a good morning prayer can be remembered by the acronym –

PRAY: Praise, Reason, Ask, Yes

1. Paise God. Begin by thanking and praising God for keeping you through the night. Give thanks for God's great love.

2. Reason why God is giving you this day. What needs to be done by you today?

3. Ask God, for forgiveness and grace. Ask God for one gift today to help you be the best you can be.

4. Yes God! Tell God you are ready, willing, and able to accomplish the tasks for the day. Do your best and give God the rest.

Evening: GRIP

In the evening, get a grip on the day: 

GRIP: Gratitude, Recollection, Inventory, Prayers

1. Gratitude: Take a moment to thank God for giving you this day. Give thanks for God's great love for you. Where did God bless you today?

2. Recollection: Look back at the events of the day. Consider who you saw, what you did, where you went. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage to be truly soul-searching. Were you growing closer to God or further away?

3. Inventory: Take inventory of how the day went. Thank God for the good you have done. Ask forgiveness for any wrong you have done. Prepare to make some amendment for sins. Take a good look at your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Accept God's forgiveness and be at peace.

4. Prayers: Give to God all those who need your prayers. Let no boundaries stand in your way as you pray for yourself, your family and friends, the Church, the country, and the world.

ﾠ1. Give Thanksﾠ

Pause and give thanks for something
in your day (even if it’s small).

Gratitude lets us see the light in our lives alongside the shadows. Acknowledging what we cherish gives us a sense of wonder and connects us to Love within us and around us. In this way, gratitude is one way we tell the truth about ourselves and our lives. It’s another way we say, “This matters to me.”

ﾠ2. Reviewﾠ

Review what happened in your day
and how you felt about it.

We don’t have to remember every detail, but a general recap of our day makes us more aware of our reality and emotions. This is especially helpful if we are on autopilot or feeling disconnected from ourselves, love, or others. Reviewing our day also helps us consider that Love speaks to us through our humanity (our thoughts, emotions, and bodies) and that we’re invited to listen to all of that.

ﾠ3. Reflectﾠ

Reflect on consolation
and desolation by asking: 

“When did I feel connected to
and disconnected from Love today?”

Holding the memories and feelings from the day, we now observe (without judgment) what sticks out and grabs our attention most. We listen to what brought us alive and made us feel most like ourselves. We call this feeling of being connected to Love and our true selves, consolation. And then we also listen, with equal attention, to what broke our heart, made us feel isolated, or ­misunderstood. We call this feeling of being disconnected from Love and our true selves, desolation. These deeper messages from our experiences and heart are often ways the Sacred invites us into deeper relationship, healing, and growth.

ﾠ4. Mendﾠ 

Listen to where you need mending
or need to make amends.

This step is about accountability and compassion. We sit in union with Love and consider where there was misunderstanding or pain in our day. We listen to where we need to make amends and commit to taking steps to do so. We also listen to where we need to speak up about our own needs or on behalf of someone else. Again, we commit to following up on these revelations when we end our practice.