29 October 2009

A Prayer of the Church for All Saints

[This prayer draws from a number of sources. The introduction and first petitions come from the funeral rite; the middle petitions from the General Intercession on p. 438 of the Altar Book; the final commemorations from the Lutheran Service Book Agenda for Commemoration of the Departed]

Let us pray to the Lord our God who raised Jesus from the dead.

Almighty God, You have knit Your chosen people together into one communion in the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Give to Your whole Church - in heaven and on earth - Your light and Your peace. Lord, in Your mercy, R.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life and so pass with Him through the gate of death and the grave to our joyful resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, R.

Grant that all who have been nourished by the holy body and blood of Your Son may be raised to immorality and incorruption to be seated with Him at Your heavenly banquet. Lord, in Your mercy, R.

Send down upon all ministers of the Gospel and all the congregations committed to their care the healthful spirit of Your grace that they may please You in all things. Lord, in Your mercy, R.

Behold in mercy all who are in authority over us. Supply them with Your blessing that they may be inclined to Your will and walk according to Your commandments. Lord, in Your mercy, R.

We humbly ask Your abiding presence in every situation that You would make known Your ways among us. Preserve those who travel, satisfy the wants of Your creatures, and help those who call on you in any need that they may have patience in the midst of suffering and, according to Your will, be released from their afflictions. Especially into Your hands we commend... Lord, in Your mercy, R.

In joyful expectation of the resurrection to life eternal, we remember before You, O Lord, our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day: [names are read out with the ringing of the bell] and those we name in our hearts…[leave a time of silence and then ring again]

Almighty God, we remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served You in Your Church on earth and who now rest from their labors. Keep us in fellowship with all Your saints and bring us at last to the joy of Your heavenly kingdom; all these things we ask through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

2 comments:

Rev. Charles Lehmann said...

We prayed this at Saint John's and Zion this morning with one small change.

Instead of praying that God's people be raised to "immorality and incorruption" we prayed that they be raised to "immortality and incorruption."

William Weedon said...

ROTFLOL. I can't believe I didn't catch that!!!