Prayers of the Church, November 3: All Saints’ Sunday
Revelation 7: 2-17 (An angel seals the righteous. Blessing, honor, glory, power to the Lamb!)
ELW/RCL: Isaiah 25:6-9 (The feast; God wipes away tears, removes shame, destroys death)
Psalm 149: Praise the Lord for his righteousness and victory!
ELW/RCL: Psalm 24 (Who ascends God’s holy hill, enters temple? Those with clean hands, pure hearts)
1 John 3:1-3: (We shall be like Jesus as we see him as he is)
ELW/RCL: Revelation 21:1-6a (New heaven and earth, New Jerusalem; death is no more)
Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)
ELW/RCL: John 11:32-44 (Jesus raises Lazarus)
Opening hymn: Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng: LBW #553, LSB #813
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart: ELW #873/874
Hymn of the Day: Blessing and Honor: LBW #525, ELW #854
OR At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing: LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633
OR Alabare: WOV #791, LSB #799, 800
Communion Hymn #1: Children of the Heavenly Father: LBW #474, ELW #781, LSB #725
Communion Hymn #2: Day by Day: WOV #746, ELW #790
OR Jesus Loves Me: ELW #595, LSB #588
Closing Hymn: In Thee is Gladness: LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818
OR For All the Saints: LBW #174, ELW #422, LSB #677
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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.
We ask your special blessing as many of us approach a national election. Give us wisdom, discernment, and the grace to put your will for our country above personal or partisan interests. Grant us a peaceful and uncontested outcome and transfer of power. Bless us with your healing and holy Spirit.
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. Raise them to the life promised to all whom you have redeemed by the Cross and Resurrection of your Son. Grant that we, who walk as yet by faith and not by sight, may by your Holy Spirit continue our course on earth with steadfast hope, constant love, and unquenchable joy. Gather us, with all of your people, 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.
