Prayer Ministry

Daily Prayer Ventures

January 2026

11 The presence of Jesus Christ among us — God’s love expressed in human form — makes the unimagined real. Praise God for the amazing gift of salvation and the freedom to live in this world as children of God who follow Christ!

12 Remember in prayer and give thanks for the ELCA’s Gender Justice and Women's Empowerment program, which provides leadership, resources and advocacy for our church and society that is shaped by the unique voices and experiences of people across race, ethnicity, ability, class, sexuality and age.

13 “Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere” (WOV 754)! Give thanks for the Spirit who creates and nurtures unique gifts in each of us that help us serve our neighbors and share the good news of Jesus Christ far and wide.

14 Pray that we awaken each day with renewed wonder, awe and respect for the complexity and beauty of God’s creation, from microscopic organisms and human beings to towering mountains and vast oceans.

15 Ask the Spirit to help us grow more resilient so that we can navigate change and situations that are stressful, discomforting and overwhelming. Pray that our efforts to teach children and youth skills that lead to greater resiliency will be fruitful and effective.

16 National Religious Freedom Day  Give thanks that our nation supports the freedom to embrace religion, to worship and to share our faith according to our personal beliefs. Pray that we will respect the religious beliefs of our neighbors and support their right to practice their faith openly, without constraints, persecution or unfair advantage.

17 “A life steeped in generosity pours out love unconsciously” (the Rev. Peter W. Marty, Living Lutheran, 2015). Pray that we exercise a generosity that is not defined by financial wealth but flows from us as a daily expression of faith, with a spirit of gratitude for God’s abundant grace and the belief that our gifts contribute to God’s work in the world.

18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Pray with our siblings in Christ around the world that we will find strength and joy in knowing that we are of one body in Christ that is not confined or divided by individual institutions or leaders, religious traditions, cultures or denominations.

19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day  Give praise and thanks to God for courageous saints of the past and present who help bring about change. Pray that we value one another as children of God and that we are bold and persistent in confronting racism, injustice and inequity.

20 Remember in prayer ELCA campus ministries and the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin), inclusive faith communities on college and university campuses across the United States that nurture the faith of young adults through worship, study, fellowship and service. Give thanks for congregations that support and partner with campus ministries.

21 “I have not hidden your saving help within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness” (Psalm 40:10). How can we keep the good news to ourselves? Pray for enthusiasm and the courage to share the story of our salvation and faith — God’s story — through our words and actions. Let us give thanks for how the Spirit equips us for such work.

22 Pray for nations at war that are on the verge of peace and for those for whom a vision of peace is not yet clear.

23 Pray for partnerships that help spread the gospel and provide love and care for our neighbors and siblings in Christ, including companion churches, full communion partners, the Lutheran World Federation, ecumenical and interfaith organizations, Lutheran Services in America’s network, Global Refuge, the World Council of Churches and others.

24 Remember in prayer Lutheran Outdoor Ministry leaders who are recruiting young adults to serve in summer camp programs and are planting seeds of invitation in those who are unsure of how their faith, gifts and passions can be used to serve children, youth and adults of diverse abilities and backgrounds.

25 Pray that we respond with a resounding yes — or even an uncertain yes — as the first disciples did when Jesus beckoned, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”

26 Conversion of Paul  Give thanks for God’s unfathomable power to change and redeem anybody, including us. Pray for those whom we feel are lost, unreachable and even undeserving of our mercy, trusting that all things are possible for God and that God will change our hearts and nudge us to be a loving and inspiring presence in their lives.

27 We are a church that believes we accomplish more when we work together and collectively employ our diverse gifts for doing God’s work in the world. Ask God to help us bridge and mend divisions in our faith communities and society that get in the way of valuing one another and working together for the benefit of all, especially our neighbors in need.

28 Praise God for theologians and teachers who help us study Scripture, develop a deeper understanding of God’s activity in the world, contribute to the maturing of our faith and explore how we live our faith in daily life.

29 Pray for the ELCA Horizon International Internship program, which provides seminary students with intensive experiences here and with companion churches around the world, with the purpose of enriching their talents and leadership skills for ministry and the mission of the ELCA.

30 Give thanks for stewardship and generosity resources and the assistance provided to congregations through the ELCA Mission Interpreters, Stewardship Key Leaders, stewardship coaching and Ventures Steward Leaders networks.

31 Pray that we trust God’s enduring love, mercy and patience to renew and encourage us when we fall short of our promises, goals and good intentions.

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.