Prayers for the Feast of All Saints

 

Fra Angelico ~ A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Almighty God you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servants, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with them attain to your eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and eve. Amen.

O God, you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men and women made perfect: Grant us during our earthly pilgrimage to abide in their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become partakers of their joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, how and for ever. Amen. 

 

Intercessions ~ All Saints

 

At the start of November,/ we pray for family and friends who celebrate birthdays,/ anniversaries and other days of remembrance,/ asking for good health,/ safety and peace./ We pray to the Lord.

November begins with double feasts of saints and souls./ May our gratitude for each other grow,/ may our God-given relationships be freed of manipulation,/ neediness and selfishness./ We pray to the Lord.

Pope Francis teaches/ that all human persons are entitled to live in a family,/ and that no one may be thrown away./ May we/ who venerate the Holy Family,/ be spiritually awake and mature enough/ to understand./ We pray to the Lord. 

Election Day approaches,/ we pray to be heart-intelligent in our voting,/ sensitive to/ and protective of life wherever God has breathed it into existence./ We pray to the Lord.

During these long months of coronavirus sickness,/ we pray for those who are exhausted,/ frustrated,/ lonely or sick with fear./ For those who carry on/ doing brave and generous  work./ We pray to the Lord.

It has recently been disclosed that 545 Mexican children/ three years after their separation,/ are still isolated at the nation's border/ their parents missing./ May we be a truly pro-life country,/ troubled deeply at this awful national error./ We pray to the Lord.

Fires in the western states burn out of control,/ while coronavirus spreads in many states out of control./ May we learn from our mistakes,/ in humility,/ repent,/ and boldly embrace a new way,/ born of the Lord's commandment to love one another./ We pray to the Lord.

Intercessions ~ Feast of All Saints

October Full Moon

Today is the Feast of All Saints./ That we would not admire the saints/ so much as desire to be saints/ with hearts made new by the love of God:/ compassionate,/ generous and kind./ We pray to the Lord.

There are forty-three million displaced persons in the world today./ Bring help to those who are over-whelmed by the loss of home,/ nation,/ loved-ones and livelihood./ Bless those who search for solutions/ and those who offer practical help./ We pray to the Lord.

As the autumn darkness increases in our hemisphere/ bring to light those places of darkness within/ where there is hatred,/ ignorance,/ prejudice or fear./ We pray to the Lord. 

Restore families where relationships have broken down,/ where there is violence,/ selfishness or addiction./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for hatred to be rejected among Christians,/ Jews and Muslims./ We ask for every religion to discover anew its best reasons for friendship and peace./ We pray to the Lord. 

The bishops of the Philippines  have called our God-given, planet-home a wonderland of beauty and life./ Forgive the sins of planet-exploitation and greed,/ give us new hearts/ born of grateful courtesy and love for this earth./ We pray to the Lord.

Strengthen those who live with disabilities,/ wounds,/ chronic sickness,/ depression and fatigue./ Delight those who are departed with your promises-come-true of life and joy./ We pray to the Lord.