Here’s a prayer of intercession for All Saints Day worship. It comes from the Lutheran Church of Australia.
Prayer of Intercession
God has raised Jesus Christ to sit at his right hand. Let us therefore pray to our Father in heaven through his Son for all the world and all the saints.
O God, Heavenly Father: we thank you today for calling us your saints. In spite of our unholy lives you look at us and see Jesus’ perfect life and death covering ours. Thank you for this grace, the grace we received when we were baptised.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Thankyou for every Christian who has helped us on our journey and encouraged us to keep believing when we felt like giving up. Thankyou for all those who taught us the faith. Thankyou for those who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to ensure others could hear of your love in Christ.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
We remember the saints in heaven. Thankyou for releasing them from the burden of sin and death in this life and for keeping your promise to them. We especially remember those from our community who have passed away in the past year (insert names here). Give comfort to all those who grieve over loved ones no longer with us on earth. Give them the hope only your word can offer us.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
We pray for your church on earth, that it may remain faithful to the apostles' teaching and that it will strive for unity. We pray for all Christians, especially those under persecution, that they may imitate the martyrs in bold witness to the gospel.
We pray for those who are not yet part of your church and for those who have left it, asking your spirit to convince them of your love for them in Jesus. And we pray for the enemies of the church, and those who curse your saints.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Bring peace to those nations in conflict and where there is political instability. Protect those who are poor and hungry and give them hope. Move those with plenty to share with those who have little. Help all people to love their neighbour as themselves.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
God of life, we give thanks for the love you have shown to the world through all your saints, and we celebrate our continuing communion with them whenever we worship. We look forward to being part of the crowd around your throne in heaven on the last day. In the meantime keep us looking to Jesus and help us to keep giving a clear witness to him, living the holy lives you have called us to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus holy name we pray.
Amen.
— from the LCA Worship Planning Page, the Lutheran Church of Australia.
For more resources for All Saints Day (November 1), click on All Saints in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.
