All Saints’ Day Prayer

The traditions for All Saints’ Day, celebrated by the Church on November 1st, are numerous! However, over the course of many years and centuries, these traditions have been coopted by the secular holidays landing at the end of October and beginning of November. The reason for this is that many All Saints’ traditions were eventually transposed onto the celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, which occurs a day earlier on October 31st and has informed the now largely secular and separate holiday of Halloween.

Other days during the end of October and beginning of November have also informed the evolution of the All Saints’ Day holiday, such as the saint commemoration of Ss. Simon and Jude on October 28th and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd.

One such tradition that has historically accompanied these various days is the making and eating of soul cakes, which has long been associated with All Saints’ and All Hallows’ Eve, and which we share here in connection with Ss. Simon and Jude Day.

For All Saints’ Day proper, however, we wanted to honor the long-standing history of remembering our loved ones and others who have gone before us in the faith. As we mentioned in this post, the modern Lutheran understanding of All Saints’ Day includes a remembrance of not only the great martyrs and confessors of the faith but also all faithful Christians who have gone before us—even those to whom we may have been related. This has historically been done in many Christian countries by visiting the graves of loved ones and relatives. Perhaps this day you will choose to do so, bringing flowers in remembrance of the beautiful life God granted them on earth and the eternal life they have been given in eternity.

But as this holy day, like all others, is an especially fitting time for prayer, we want to provide you with the “Prayer of the Church” from the one-year cycle propers for All Saints’ Day, which you might also consider for home use as you and your household think about the saints both of history and of recent times, giving thanks always to Jesus who is our Light and Peace.

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, hear our prayer.

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, hear our prayer.

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

Give to all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in Your loving care, that casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give courage and faith to Your people who pass through difficult and trying times. Give them relief according to Your will and strength to meet the challenges ahead in the assurance of a holy and certain hope and final healing at the resurrection of the dead. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Remember in Your kindness all entrusted with civil authority among us, and give them wisdom, courage and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Raise up ever new servants of the Word, and strengthen and sustain those whom You have sent, that the good news of sin’s forgiveness and death’s defeat may bring everlasting joy to Your elect. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

In joyful expectation of the resurrection to life eternal, we remember before the Lord our departed family and friends who have gone before us in the faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day.

[The names of those who are to be remembered may be read. A bell may be tolled following the reading of each name.]

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; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: The LCMS Files