All Saints Day is celebrated each November 1 as a day to remember those who have gone before us. Today, as we remember women and men we have met and those who lived long before our time, let us give thanks for their witness. I invite you to pause to read through, pray, and reflect upon a prayer, written by Christine Sine:
God we are surrounded by a cloud
Faithful witnesses who have gone before
Those who have loved where we would have hated
Those who have healed where we would have hurt
Those who have spoken out when we would have remained silent
God may we walk in their footsteps
Learning courage from their sacrifice
May we learn to give so that others may receive
May we learn to love so that others may be set free
May we learn to die so that others might live
God may we join that cloud of faithful witnesses
Treading paths of loving obedience
Leaving footprints that others desire to walk in
God may we too lead kingdom lives
Amen
(Christine Sine is the author of three books, an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, a blogger, and the co-founder of Mustard Seed Associates: a network of followers of Jesus that seeks to unleash the creative potential of individuals who want to put God’s purposes first in their lives.)
So What?
Does your congregation celebrate All Saints Day in corporate worship? If so, what elements of these services have been particularly meaningful to you? If not, how might you introduce the idea with something as simple as recognizing and remembering all of those involved in the life of your congregation who passed away since last All Saints Day?
Think of a saint who has moved from this life to life eternal that impacted your journey of faith. Share the story of this individual’s influence with someone else who has never heard it before. Invite your listener to share with you a story of a saint who has had a similar influence.
Think of a living saint who has helped shape your journey of faith. Make some time this week to write a note or make a phone call and thank this individual.