“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5a).

Light always overtakes darkness.  Yet, in this age there are times of twilight when darkness seems to prevail.  Do not be led by the wickedness of this world, the darkness that proclaims itself as light.  Walk humbly in the light of Christ which is always shining and cannot be darkened.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Lord, You have already won the war, but the battle against evil in this age rages on.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go and then show me the direction into which I need to head.  Lord, You have been unfolding all that is happening so that Your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Guide me that I would be one who does Your will.  Let me never be a child of darkness again.

Lord Jesus, You are the light that shines in the darkness.  You are the Word made flesh.  You are the bright and morning star.  You have come so that all who look to You would receive grace upon grace and mercy upon mercy to walk as children of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me now and always to be guided by You in the way of truth.  Help me to see through the darkness of this age and walk in Your light.  Amen.

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.

“While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

In these things, there are those which happen over and over again as well as those which happen time and again in this age.  People felt secure and safe in the Roman Empire.  It fell.  This will happen time and again.  This world is constantly changing.  The world to come is eternal.  Live the life you have been given, but do not put your trust in this age; keep it in the Lord who is forever.

Lord, help me to not live just for myself, but to live the life You have given me for others too.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would now and always live according to the promises You have given me.  Guide me to learn each day what You would have me learn, knowing that You are always with me.  Open my ears to hear Your Word spoken and then bring my heart to the place where I willingly obey.

Lord Jesus, all these things You modeled.  You did not just tell us what to do, You did it Yourself.  In Your example, guide me this day to put into practice those things which You have modeled.  Let me not be so concerned with what tomorrow will bring as much as doing what You give me to do today.  Guide me always, Lord, in the eternal way that I may journey into eternity with You.  Amen.

“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

The end will come.  It will come for us all, but it will probably come for you and me before that Day of the Lord.  But it will come.  The end of this age.  We who have been given the gift of grace do not hope in vain, for we know that having been united with Christ in His death on the cross means we are united with Him in His resurrection.  Know these things and live both with hope and without anxiety.

Lead me to see both how short this life is and also that what You have promised is more assured than what I know of this life.  Guide me to live knowing these things and being prepared for Your coming.  Help me to do this not in fear, but in joy, for what You have promised is before all and for those of us who love You, it will be good.

Lord Jesus, guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Help me on the upward journey, modeling my life after You.  Show me today and each day You give me before my end in this age how to  become what You are making of me.  Lead me, O Lord, to know that in You alone is all hope and the glory of an eternal future.  Amen.  

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you”(1 Thessalonians 5:1).

How many epics have been written about the end of times, what will happen and the scenarios for these things?  Yet, time has marched on and they have not come to pass.  Is the Word unsure?  May it never be.  We are told time and again not to needlessly speculate, and yet we do.  Come then and live in the faith and hope that you have been given in the salvation of Christ, trusting in His timing of all things.

Lord, lead me away from idle speculation and into the life You have promised by grace through faith.  Guide me, O Lord, away from building my hope on anything less than You.  You are the One who has saved us and in You is our hope.  Let that be enough for me.  There is much that needs to be done if I am to be prepared to spend eternity with You.  Help me focus upon these things.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  Whether I know the future sequence of events or not really does not matter.  Keep me from any kind of pride that would hinder my walking with You all the days of my life.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth.  Your Word is truth.  Help me focus upon what I know, that which You have spoken, and leave the rest to settle where it will.  Your grace is sufficient, O Lord!  Amen.

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

What is the comfort?  That none of those who trust in the salvation of the Lord will be left out of the resurrection.  We shall all be caught up with the Lord forever.  Take comfort that you are not alone, nor forgotten, ever!  The Lord has given you promises that are sure and eternal.  Be comforted and comfort others with the comfort you yourself have received from the Lord.

Lord, I know there are all kinds of systems built around the idea of some being left behind and others being resurrected.  Lord, I do not know these things and although others may take comfort from these words, help me take comfort from the promise You have given throughout the ages that all who remain in You now will be with You in eternity.  Help me accept the comfort I know is true even if I have other ideas that comfort me as well.

Lord Jesus, it boils down to the truth that all things are in Your hands.  Help me to trust Your Word, for Your never-failing Word endures forever.  You have spoken promises to all who believe and in those promises is the hope we have of life everlasting.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life that I may be led in Your salvation to prepare for the eternal life You have promised to all those who are faithful.  Amen.