Prayer for Sept. 20 — Giving thanks for Jesus’ parables and seeking grace when we’re doubtful

# What this prayer says

Sept. 20 gives thanks for Jesus' parables and asks God to be gracious, forgiving, and patient with us. It frames parables as simple, illustrative stories that reveal God's word, teach how to be a faithful disciple, and explain what it means to love and serve neighbors in need.

The prayer recognizes ordinary human responses — being puzzled, doubtful, defensive, or full of questions — and explicitly requests God's patience and mercy in those moments.

# Who wrote it and where it appears

Source: Living Lutheran website, part of the ELCA daily Prayer Ventures series. Published Sept. 20, 2026.

Living Lutheran posts a daily Prayer Ventures piece as a short devotional petition intended to guide individual and congregational prayer. The site offers a downloadable PDF of the monthly Prayer Ventures entries.

# Why this prayer matters for personal and congregational use

Parables are a common teaching tool in Christian practice because they link everyday experience to spiritual truths. This entry focuses not on interpreting a specific parable but on the practice of receiving parables as guidance for faith and action.

# Practical ways to use the Sept. 20 prayer

• Read it at the start of a worship service or small-group meeting to frame conversation about scripture and doubt.
• Use it in personal prayer when you encounter questions or confusion about faith matters.
• Pair it with a Bible reading of a parable (e.g., the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son) and reflect on the concrete actions the parable asks of listeners.
• Print the monthly PDF of Prayer Ventures and distribute it to congregants as a simple devotional resource.

# Related items on Living Lutheran

Living Lutheran runs daily entries in this series. Neighboring dates include Sept. 19 and Sept. 21, which focus respectively on spiritual directors and the changing seasons. The entry for Sept. 20 sits among other Faith & Spirituality and Devotional Resource/Guide pieces on the site.

# Bottom line

The Sept. 20 Prayer Ventures entry is a brief devotional that thanks God for parables and asks for grace when faith is uncertain. It's aimed at helping individuals and congregations pray about discipleship, neighborly love, and patience with doubt. The entry is part of a daily ELCA resource available on Living Lutheran, and the site provides a monthly PDF for broader use.