Prayers, November 2: All Saints Sunday

Sola/LSB: Revelation 7:(2-8) 9-17 (The tribes of Israel are numbered; behold a host arrayed in white, praising the God who has delivered them)

            ELW/RCL: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 (Vision of 4 great beasts; saints shall receive God’s kingdom forever)

ALL: Psalm 149 (Praise God for his deliverance – and his vengeance!)

Sola/LSB: 1 John 3:1-3 (We are God’s children; when Jesus appears, we shall be like him.)

            ELW/RCL: Ephesians 1:11-23 (Inheritance of saints in Christ; prayer for Spirit to enlighten, reveal Jesus’ greatness and gifts)

Sola/LSB: Matthew 5:1-12 (The beatitudes)

            ELW/RCL: (Beatitudes and woes; do to others as you wish them to do to you)

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Opening Hymn:  Behold the/a Host, Arrayed in White: ELW #425, LSB #676 (superior translation!)

Behold a Host, Like Mountains Bright LBW #314

OR  Alabare: WOV #791, LSB #800

OR Come, We That Love The Lord: WOV #742, ELW #625, LSB #669

Hymn of the Day: For All the Saints: LBW #174, ELW #422, LSB #677

OR Blest Are They: WOV #764, ELW #728, LSB #982

Communion Hymn #1: Children of the Heavenly Father: LBW #474, ELW #781, LSB #725

Communion Hymn #2: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700

Closing Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: LBW #328/9, LSB #549

OR Holy God, We Praise Your Name: LBW #535, ELW #414, LSB #940

In the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Thank you, dear Father, for all the sinners whom you have redeemed and are pleased to call your saints! Thank you for their example of repentance, trust, and obedience, even when that was hard. Help us remember them with gratitude, and give us grace to follow in their footsteps.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Preserve and guide your one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Array it in the garments of salvation, and conform it to the likeness of your Son. Adorn it with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Make it a blessing to many, and a sign of your Kingdom’s close approach.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make this congregation lovely with holiness. Let the light of Jesus shine through us, so other people glimpse his great love for them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for seminarians and those whom we sense are being called into the holy ministry. Make them pure of heart, filled with peace, and poor in spirit. We plead on behalf of missionaries. Help them to feed all who hunger and thirst with your bread of righteousness – and with earthly bread. And we ask your blessing upon all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Fill them with joy, peace, and gentleness. Give them a gracious word truth and forgiveness, so that their tormentors may repent and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, establish your Kingdom in our midst, and your peace within our hearts, communities, and nations. Make our earthly leaders wise and good, generous and just. Make us all to be pure and humble of heart, hungering and thirsting for your righteousness while easing the hunger and thirst of our neighbors.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Until your peace is established in this world, good men and women must risk their lives defending life, liberty, and justice. Bless and protect them. Shelter their families from fear. Bring them safely home. Heal their wounds to body and spirit; and use their service to build a happier and safer world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Deliver from suffering all those whose need is great, including: {List}. Give them the hope, comfort, and faith they need to weather their trials. Restore them to health and fellowship with all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most gracious Father, receive into your Kingdom our beloved dead, inclulding {List}. Keep us faithful, holy, and steadfast as we walk Jesus’ narrow Way. Give us joy along that way, and help us to encourage one another along it. Bring us safely into your Kingdom, promised to all whom you redeem through your dear Son. There let us see you face to face, and rejoice in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

“And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7)

If Jesus is not who He says He is, then the scribes are right, for who can forgive my sin against you unless it be God?  Jesus acts as if He is the One chiefly offended by sin.  This too tells us who Jesus is.  It is sin in the world which has caused all calamity and Jesus has come to take away our sin.  Therefore, when He says, “Your sins are forgiven,” He speaks the truth of the salvation He brings.

Lord, there are so many things in scripture that pass by me.  I see that time and again I have been told who You are, but have I noticed and understood?  Help me to understand all the things You would have me understand so that I respond with my heart, soul, body, mind, and strength to all that You have offered.  Guide all the faithful ever deeper in faith, understanding that You do forgive sins and that it is humanity who are the ones who blaspheme.

Lord Jesus, You have been patient amidst all the foolish doubts of every generation.  You are the truth who has come so that we who live in untruth may be guided into a life which is forever.  You speak words of truth, and You have offered to set me free.  Guide me into the way of life that brings peace and the forgiveness of sin.  Help me to live this life today and every day.  Amen.

“And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.  Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:3-4).

See the love the men carrying the paralytic had for him.  See the willingness to go the extra distance to have an opportunity to bring about healing.  This is faith in action.  Too often, many sit back and want it to come to us.  These men moved forward to meet the Lord.  The Lord is always encouraging us to live by faith, trusting that He is more than able to do all that He has promised.

Lord, who can heal all infirmities, You know I live in an age of being served.  It is filled with instant gratification.  I do not always look forward, seeking what is right, but sit in comfort expecting what I want to come to me.  Lead me out of my faithlessness and into a faith that goes as far as I am able on my own, knowing that only You can carry me the right distance.  Move me beyond the complacence of this age to do the good works for the age to come.

Lord Jesus, You know anguish and pain more fully than I ever will.  You also have given me the gift of fortitude to push me forward through the hopelessness I encounter.  Lead me to walk the distance, no matter what, so that I may truly be one who follows You in and through all things.  Teach me how to live and grant me the gifts I need to walk this life of faith which You have given me by Your grace.  Amen.  

“When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them” (Mark 2:1-2).

The crowds gathered.  We love to see things that are different.  People gather around what interests them whether they agree with what they encounter.  The Lord has come and there are many who still gather around, but that does not mean that they are there because they believe.  For all who gather, the bottom line is met when we find out for ourselves who Jesus is and whether we will follow Him.

Almighty God of all mystery, I am curious, and I want to know things before I commit to them.  Help me to live not for myself, but in the truth, knowing that You are the One who made me.  Guide me into the mystery of faith and lead me to humbly walk according to Your goodness and mercy.  I do not know how to do this, but You lead the way and You alone make it possible to complete the journey.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, this day.  Let me not be just one of the crowd who watches and waits for the next great thing to see, but live in the midst of what You are doing.  Help me to not worry about times and events but live out the faith You have given me.  Help me seek and learn  obedience through all that I do.  Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus, so that I may humbly walk the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere” (Mark 1:45).

Although cleansed and freed from infirmities, Jesus has a reason for saying what He says.  If He tells us to be quiet, we should be quiet, but we act as though we know better.  Yes, the Lord knew this would happen, but the greater lesson for us is to learn to be obedient to the Lord in all things.  Sometimes our exuberance causes more harm than the good we think we are doing.  Learn to listen to the Lord.

Lord, I want to do good, but sometimes in the desire for it I create more of a mess.  Help me to heed Your call and follow You through all things doing what You ask me to do.  Guide me, Lord, so that I humbly walk in Your ways and live according to the goodness and mercy which You give me.  When I am tempted to disobey, even for what I consider good reason, help me to realize that You are the Lord.

Lord Jesus, despite the good intentions of people who disobeyed, You continued to the cross for us all.  I too have gone astray with good motives.  Help me to learn repentance and walk in the way You have established.  Guide me up and out of this world’s thinking to live according to Your word alone, for You are the One who must save me.  Be the author of my faith today and teach me faithfulness.  Amen.

“Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.  And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Mark 1:42-44).

Our Lord did not come to do away with the law, for the law points to Him and reflects His love.  He has come to remove the obstacles that get in the way of our becoming what we were made to be.  No disease or infirmity can get in the way of what the Lord can do.  He created all things, and what has been perverted by sin, He makes clean by His grace.  Is that not what He did with the bacterial infection we call leprosy?  Is that not what He has done with your sin?

Lord, You are the Creator of all things, but things have gone awry.  You have come to set what has gone wrong, right.  You have come to call those who would enter onto the journey of salvation You give to become what You know we can and should be.  When You tell me to do something, help me to do it.  I have many questions, but they are answered along the way, not by confronting You beforehand.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior.  I need You to lead me.  Deep is the infection of sin in me.  In the depths of the sin which You have come to heal, cleanse me so that I may become like You.  Heal me so that I may walk in faith as You intend.  Plant me back into the society in which You have placed me.  Through all things, help me to live the life You have given me with thanksgiving.  Amen.

“And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Mark 1:40-41).

Look carefully at how this works.  Does your faith tell you that our Lord is able to do what you are asking Him to do?  But then, the truth comes in realizing that although Jesus can heal, the Father’s will may not be for healing.  “Are You willing?”  So many are conditional, thinking that if the Lord does not heal, then thinking that He is not able.  It is better to understand that the Father’s will shall be done in and through all that happens.

Lord, there are times when I do not understand why You do not heal.  Wickedness causes me to be disappointed and think that You are not able or do not care.  Teach me to be humble and submit to the truth that You alone work all things together for good.  Guide me ever deeper into Your goodness so that the conditionality of my heart goes away.  Lead me forward, trusting You above all things.

Lord Jesus, You are able to do all that I ask.  I do not receive because I ask with wrong motive.  Teach me to have the right motive and to trust every answer to my prayers which You give.  You know all that needs to happen, so keep me in the Father’s will, trusting that You will bring all things together for good.  Help me to be a part of living in the Father’s will and trusting that You have all things in Your hands.  Amen.

“He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”  And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons” (Mark 1:38-39).

It is as if Jesus is saying to those who would try to hold on to Him, “I am not yours alone, but I came for all.”  How many times have local fellowships acted as if they had a corner on the truth?  “We are the ones who have the truth and You do not,” seems often to be an attitude that is projected.  Jesus has come for the world so that as many as believe would receive His salvation and live in the communion of love which comes from our Lord and God.

Lord, I find the place in which I am comfortable and think I have all that is needed.  You have placed a longing in every human heart which reaches beyond ourselves and out to You.  You are the only One who fills that longing.  Guide me, Lord, so that I live into the life You are offering me.  Teach me all that this means, and set my feet upon the course of the life of salvation which prepares me for an eternal life of communion with You.

Lord, You call us to be leaders and in leadership there is a temptation to think all that needs to be known is already known.  To lead is first to be behind You, for only You know where we need to go.  Help me to take those steps so that I follow You and then help me so that nothing gets in the way of my following You.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of right living, seeking Your righteousness and looking to You as the Author of my faith.  Amen.

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.  Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” (Mark 1:35-37).

Is everyone looking for Jesus, or just wanting Him to be where they expect Him to be?  We have our own ideas of who Jesus is and do not see Him as He is.  He is in communion with the Father.  He invites us into that communion.  Many would rather take Jesus out of that communion and have Him join with them.  He came to save us; we did not come to invite Him to where we are.

Lord, You have called me to You.  I did not discover You and invite You to me.  You are the One who must be in control, for I will make a mess of things if I pretend that I am in control.  You are in a relationship of Trinity, bring me to You and help me to not expect You to come to me and compromise the eternal relationship — not that You would, but my sinful expectations get in the way.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray and commune as You communed.  Lead me to be always mindful of where my heart is and curb my expectations.  Be the One who is leading and take from me those desires which would even slightly take the lead.  You are the One who must save me, so save me as You know I need saving.  Help me to keep my eyes always upon You.  Amen.

Script:

Luke 17:11-19

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, I just wanted to thank you for doing a great job.

Pastor: Thank you, Sammy.

Sammy: You always listen to me, tell me stories, teach me about the Word of God, and you are a great friend to me.

Pastor: That’s very kind of you, Sammy.

Sammy: I just wanted you to know.

Pastor: You know, Sammy, your thankfulness reminds me of the Gospel reading for today. Jesus healed ten men with a skin disease.

Sammy: A skin disease?

Pastor: Yes—they called out to Jesus and asked him to heal them. He healed them by telling them to go show themselves to the priests. On the way to the priests, they were healed.

Sammy: But why did he tell them to go to the priests? Why not just heal them right away?

Pastor: What do you think, boys and girls? Why did Jesus send the men to go to the priests instead of healing them right away?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers and ideas. Jesus wanted the men to act in faith. Walking toward the priests meant a commitment of faith for them. And men with a skin disease were considered unclean. They were unable to worship God at the temple if they had a skin disease.

Sammy: So that would be like if we couldn’t go to church?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: But they couldn’t help it!

Pastor: That was the rule. In Jesus’s time, there was no cure for this skin disease.

Sammy: That’s horrible. They were forever banned from church. I love church. I want to be here every day.

Pastor: I know, Sammy. But you know, what? Jesus healed all ten of these men, and then they could go to worship God in the temple.

Sammy: And one of them went back to thank him. That man is my favorite. Jesus gave him his life back.

Pastor: Jesus gives each of us a new life in him, and it’s important to thank our God for the many gifts he gives us. In fact, let’s pray and thank him right now. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, we thank you for your healing power. We praise you for directing us to you. Help us to be thankful for everything you give us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!