November 7: All Saints’ Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9 (The feast; God wipes away tears, removes shame, destroys death)
Psalm 24 (Who ascends the holy hill of God, enters temple? Those with clean hands and pure hearts)
Revelation 21:1-6a (The new heaven and earth, New Jerusalem; death is no more)
John 11:32-44 (Jesus raises Lazarus)
THE PRAYERS
Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Thank you, dear Lord, for those forgiven sinners we call saints. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your glory shining through their words and deeds. Thank you that, in Jesus, you have wiped away all their tears and taken away all their shame. Thank you for promising this to us, too.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Save and defend your Church, purchased with the blood of Christ. Give it righteous pastors and bishops. Defend it when it is attacked. Purify and heal it when it sins. Make it perfect in love and good works. Keep it steadfast in the faith once delivered to the saints, so that one holy Church may bear witness to you, the creator and redeemer of all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give your persecuted Church the blessings promised by Jesus. Let it rejoice in being united to his Passion. Give it the peace that passes human understanding. Grant repentance and faith to all who hate the name of Jesus. Give them grace to bind up the wounds they have inflicted upon the Body of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Draw to yourself the hearts of this congregation’s members. Guide our minds; fill our imaginations; control our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Use us as you will, always to your glory and the welfare of your people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Set before us the example of your saints, great and small. Inspire us by their faith, generosity, and compassion. Strengthen us to endure, as they did, hardship and persecution for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified to an unbelieving world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We commend all nations into your merciful care. Let everyone live in peace and be guided by your providence. Give those in authority the wisdom to know your will and the strength to do it. Grant to them – and to all of us! – a double portion of your Spirit, so that justice, mercy, righteousness, and peace may prevail.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Take under your special protection all who are charged with maintaining safety, justice and peace in times and places of danger and violence. Preserve them in justice, honor, and integrity throughout the time of their service; and return them safely to their families.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Comfort with the grace of your Holy Spirit all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity, especially {List}. Give wholeness and hope to all who cry out to you for help. Have mercy on the dying, and comfort the grieving. And to all, grant a measure of your love, shielding them with your tender care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for all of our blessed dead who rest now in your care—especially: {List}. Raise them to the glorious life promised to all whom you have redeemed by the Cross and Resurrection of your dear Son. Grant that we, who walk as yet by faith and not by sight, may in the power of your Holy Spirit continue our course on earth with steadfast hope, constant love, and unquenchable joy. Gather us, with all of your people of every time and place, every kindred, tribe, and tongue, at that eternal high feast that celebrates your victory over sin and death, won for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.
