This collection of prayers may be used in personal and planning team devotions, during congregational worship, or as prayer support for your congregation’s witnessing and discipleship.

A Prayer for Commitment to the ELCA-wide Call to Witnessing and Discipleship

Gracious God,
Jesus is calling me to a new beginning; to a fresh call to discipleship. You are asking me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow you. It was at my baptism that you claimed me as your child. Today, I affirm that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I surrender my will, my desires and my life to you, O God. I commit myself to your call to discipleship: to pray, study your Word, worship you, invite other people to a life of discipleship, encourage Christians in their life of faith, serve those in need, and give joyfully of the gifts that You first gave me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Prayer For Boldness

Good and Gracious God,
You sent your Son to call all people to become his disciples.
Inspire us to grow as followers of Christ.
Send us to boldly reach out, invite and grow into Jesus
and the community that bears his name.
In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen

Prayer To Be Stirred Up

Gracious God,
You know how my time keeps being chewed up.
Trouble me... Distract me ... Focus me ...
so that I make time to reach out
in some intentional way to the unchurched each day.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen

Prayer for the Weary Leader

Dear God,
You know how tired I am.
You know how discouraged I can become.
Breathe deep into me ...
Fill me with your love.
Fill me with your hope.
Fill me with your confidence.
Send me to invite others and equip them to join me in reaching out.
In Jesus' name.
Amen

Prayer For the Holy Spirit's Guidance

Gracious God,
Send your Holy Spirit to deepen our worship life.
Open our hearts to the gifts and cultures which surround our church.
Open our hearts to the people who are different from us.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen

Prayer for Synodical Leaders

Dear God,
Guide our bishop and the leadership of our synod
to encourage congregations and leaders
to more boldly reach out to all people --
left wing ... right wing
blue collar ... white collar
long-time residents ... immigrants
-- all people, just as we follow our Lord who reached out to all.
In Jesus' name.
Amen

Prayer for Reformation

Dear God,
We are a church of the Reformation. So why is it so difficult to reform and change? Bless us so that we might reform our leadership so that our congregation can grow. Heal our grief about the changes in our community and congregation, so that we might see, use, and celebrate your created gifts in our life, world and church. Inspire even more small groups to be born in our church. Deepen our commitment to follow Jesus in our life together.
In Jesus' name.
Amen

– Written by Bishop Jon V. Anderson of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod and member of the Evangelism Strategy Task Force