All Saints Sunday Prayer
What is All Saints Sunday?
All Saints is a Christian celebration rooted in the church’s desire to honor the martyrs and saints who faithfully embodied the Christian faith. All Saints dates back to the 4th century when believers began to set aside a day to commemorate all known and unknown saints—those who had persevered through hardship and persecution, shared the Gospel and lived exemplary lives. By the 9th century, November 1 was established as All Saints Day in the Western Church. Over time, this day became not only a tribute to saints of years past but also a day for all Christians to remember loved ones who have passed away. Thus, the Church embodies Hebrews 12’s beautiful idea that we are “su
On All Saints Sunday, we honor the church members who have passed away over the past year by calling their names during a special time in our worship service. As each name is spoken, we present a rose to a family member or friend who is present to remember them.
We also invite congregants to submit the names of loved ones and friends who were not members of our church. We will remember them as well, calling their names and inviting any family member or friend present to stand in their memory.
All Saints Sunday Prayer
Prayer of Intercession and Thanksgiving for All Saints
God of all generations, we gather in your presence with grateful hearts, remembering the faithful who have gone before us. Truly, because you are faithful to all generations, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, those who have carried the light of faith, sharing it with us, teaching us to walk in your ways, and encouraging us in love. Today, as we lift our voices in prayer, we give you thanks for the lives of those who have been part of our church family and for others dear to us who have passed from this life into your eternal care.
Loving God, as we remember the names of those from our congregation, we honor their faithfulness, their love, and the gifts they shared with us. For each life, we place a rose, a token of our love- a reminder that their impact remains, even as they rest in your eternal peace. Comfort their families, we pray, and may we all be strengthened by their example.
We also remember and name loved ones beyond our congregation who have left us this year—family members and friends who meant the world to us. They too were blessings, and they taught us much about love, resilience, and kindness. As we recall their names, may our memories be filled with gratitude. Grant us the peace of knowing that our connections with them are not broken but transformed in Christ, who conquered death and promises us eternal life together.
Today, we are mindful of your promise, God—that death is not the end, that life continues with you in a love that cannot be broken. Give us faith and courage to carry forward the faith of those we honor today. May we also become witnesses of your grace, inspired to live lives of compassion and faithfulness.
With thanks for all saints, both known and unknown, we entrust these prayers to you, knowing you hold us all together in your love, now and forever. Amen
