1 All Saints Day  Give thanks for the global Christian community. Praise God for the bond of faith that stirs joy and inspires siblings in Christ to unite in doing God’s work in the world.

2 National Native American Heritage Month  Give thanks for Indigenous neighbors and siblings in Christ, who enrich society with their diverse gifts, traditions, resilience and wisdom. Pray for Indigenous ministries and faith communities, for ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations, and for the American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association, that their advocacy will guide the work of our church and society in building just relationships with Indigenous peoples.

3 Election Day  On this day of electing leaders for our nation, ask the Spirit to guide our discernment as we choose people who will work for unity, justice, equity, peace and the well-being of all people, especially neighbors and communities in need.

4 Pray for God to be our enduring refuge who delivers us from our fears, guilt, pessimism and suffering. Ask the Spirit to strengthen our faith and help us face the challenges we encounter within and outside ourselves.

5 Pray that we will focus not on when and how Christ will come again but on how we will live today as his followers, called to share the gospel, praise our Creator, love and serve our neighbor, and stir hope and joy among those who yearn for good news.

6 Remember in prayer members of the ELCA Leadership Circle as they witness God’s work firsthand in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Pray for our partners in Central Europe, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic and the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland. Give thanks for God’s work of justice, compassion, peacemaking and nurturing leaders, which is furthered through generosity and global partnerships.

7 It is far too easy to carry within us anger, grudges and judgment of others who, we believe, have wronged us. Pray that God might forgive us and free us from those feelings and memories that prevent us from loving, caring for and encouraging one another.

8 “The vitality of a church is not measured by how many members it has, but by its commitment and willingness to serve God and neighbor, by its readiness to walk the talk,” says the Rev. Anne Burghardt, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation. Pray that the Spirit will renew our vision of who we are and what we are called to do as communities of faith in a world that often prioritizes financial security, membership numbers, physical buildings and resources over faith and serving our neighbors in need.

9 Remember in prayer leaders gathering for the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries conference in Giddings, Texas. Ask God to bless their time together, strengthening their mutual support and equipping and renewing them for ministry with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

10 Ask God to help us go about our daily lives in the church and society, mindful of the call to “let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

21 Remember our missionaries, our International Women Leaders and those serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program alongside our companion churches in Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea and Thailand. Ask God to bless their work in education, gender justice, leadership development, and music and parish ministries.

22 Pray that our words and actions reflect God’s selfless love for humanity as we care for neighbors who endure hunger, homelessness, illness, incarceration, isolation and violence.

23 Pray for men’s ministries in congregations and outdoor ministries, that they will heal hurts, deepen faith, nurture healthy gender roles and equip men of all ages for service in their families, the church and the world.

24 “Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep and will sort them out. As shepherds sort out their flocks when they are among scattered sheep, so I will sort out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 34:11-12). We have someone who sought us out, rescued us and restored our relationship with God — Jesus Christ. Give thanks and glory to God for the gifts of love, attention and mercy we receive though Jesus our shepherd.

25 Meteorologists are tracking an unusually strong El Niño weather pattern that will have an impact on the world. Pray that we might respond to those affected with immediate and long-term assistance, safe refuge, resources, generous support and prayer.

26 Thanksgiving Day  “We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together). Praise God for all we have and for those things that nourish and sustain us daily — physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially. Pray for the Spirit to inspire us to be generous toward the needs of our neighbors, and that our compassion and generosity, in turn, will inspire others.

27 “Since everything we possess, and everything in heaven and on earth besides, is daily given and sustained by God, it inevitably follows that we are in duty bound to love, praise, and thank him without ceasing, and, in short, to devote all these things to his service” (Martin Luther, the Large Catechism). Give thanks for the people and things that nourish your faith and stir up your hope, joy and gratitude.

28 Remember in prayer the Palestinian people, who yearn for peace, security, respect, the rebuilding of their homes and communities, and the freedom to live and thrive.

29 First Sunday of Advent  Pray for the Spirit to fill us with hope, excitement and anticipation as we prepare this season for the birth of Christ and for life eternal in the kingdom of God.

30 Give thanks for Advent wreaths and other faith traditions and symbols — old and new — that help us celebrate God’s dwelling among us through the birth of Jesus and remind us of God’s awesome gifts of boundless love, forgiveness and true freedom.

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.