Prayers for All Saints' Day

Prayers of the People—November 6, 2011
St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal Church 

Year A, Proper 19, RCL
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

Written by Rachel Fulton Brown

Humbling ourselves with all the saints before the throne of the Lamb, let us pray to the Lord, saying,
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, through your saints you have given us models of the kinds of human beings you want us to be.  Teach us, your Church, to follow in their footsteps, imitating the Lamb in whose image we are made.  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, who numbers as his children every one of the seven billion of us now alive, be with our leaders that they may govern us in righteousness, protecting the meek and working always for peace.  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, whom angels serve and the heavens proclaim, make us mindful of the ways in which our desires and actions affect your world.  Bless those among us who are working to change our habits of work and play so that our children’s children will have a healthy and happy place to live.  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, who ensures that none who seek him lack for good, be with our congregation in this time of transition, that we may be thankful for the blessings that we have received from those who have sojourned with us and welcome with open arms all those who come to us in service and in need.  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, who wipes away all our tears and saves us from our troubles, comfort all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, those looking for work to support themselves and their families, and those living in either spiritual or physical fear.  We pray especially for…  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, whom we have tasted and found good, bless all those who celebrate birthdays and anniversaries this week, that they may look upon you radiant with your joy.  We pray especially for…  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Lamb, before whom the multitudes of saints stand robed in white, welcome the souls of those who have died to join in your eternal celebration.  We pray especially for…  Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

You are invited to offer your own prayers and thanksgivings, ending each with “Lord, in your mercy.”

God, whose image we see manifest in the virtues and lives of your most holy saints, grant that we may be emboldened to realize their virtues in ourselves and so to work for the coming of your kingdom in this world and the next.  Through the one who taught us to recognize us all as your children, Amen.

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