Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration for All Saints’ Day
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Christ no South or North;
But one great family of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden chord
Close-binding humankind. Amen.
Join hands, then, people of the faith,
whatever your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are joined as one
throughout the whole wide earth.
John Oxenham, Adapted
Help us Run: An All Saints’ Day Liturgy, based on Hebrews 12:1-3
Heavenly Father,
You surround us with great and good companions
With witnesses who run the race before us
Now cheering us on
Inspiring us with their courageous faith
Help us run with perseverance
Blessed Jesus,
Pioneer and Perfector of our faith
You blaze the trail
Endure the cross
Disable its shame and our ours
Help us run with perseverance
Holy Spirit,
You companion us and supply us
with witnesses running beside us
Churning up the dust of this well-traveled path
Encouraging us with the steady beat of their beautiful feet
Help us run
Daring, Enduring, Alive with Hope
Amen
This prayer could also be voiced by a single voice
Help us Run – a prayer for All Saints Day © 2022, Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Lord, you whose Son did pray that all your children might be one, we come with repentance for the sin of useless division and for the secret vice of pride. We beg forgiveness for harsh judgment, for prejudice nourished as a virtue, for self-will, for scorn of others, whose experience before you is as valid as our own. For all narrow minded attitudes, for all denial of the worth of other views, for all exclusiveness which has kept out men of good will, receive our forgiveness and heal us of the sin which keeps us apart. Teach us what it means to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Open our eyes to the insight of others. Help us to appreciate those of other lands and of other races, who, differing from us in much, are yet one with us in faith. For problems beyond our minds to solve, grant us patience. For tasks too great for our weak hands, give us faith. For all tedious steps in discovering your way and your will for your church, endow us with necessary grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
George Stewart, A Face to the Sky, adapted, Language Modernized by Stuart Strachan Jr.
Opening Prayer for Reformation Sunday
Heavenly Father, thank you for a spiritual home
For the legacy of those who have gone before us and welcomed us
Lord Jesus, thank you for your church
For the legacy of your word and witness across the world
Holy Spirit, thank you for renewing your church in every age
Unify us and renew us
We long to be true to you and your ways
Reform us now
Make us courageous and steadfast and persevering
in sharing your grace and Good News
in living your merciful, transforming love
in the building of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven
Inspire us and defend us and send us out again, Holy One
For the honor and glory of your name alone, Amen
Reformation Day is celebrated annually on October 31. Some congregations choose to acknowledge this day on the Sunday closest to October 31.
Opening Prayer for Reformation Sunday © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com