A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Sunday, November 02, 2008

A Prayer for All Saints Sunday

Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy whole Church in paradise and on earth, thy light and thy peace. Grant that all those who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that thy Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind. Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly care, that, casting all their grief upon thee, they may know the consolation of thy love. Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in thine eternal and everlasting glory, and, with all thy saints, to receive the crown of life which thou dost promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Allan - Your picture represents the 103 Korean martyrs canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 1984 under Pope John Paul II. Over 8000 Catholics are known to have been martyred in Korea in the 19th century. I am happy to report that the Roman Catholic Church is alive and well in South Korea today; the Catholics I know here have a vibrant faith. Another Catholic who died in Korea is now being considered for sainthood - Father Emil Kapaun, a US Army chaplain who died in communist captivity during the Korean War. Alas, the number of Christians - both Protestant and Catholic - who have died at the hands of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jung Il and the Juche cult are beyond number. Pray for the people of North Korea and whatever Christians might be left there.

Allan R. Bevere said...

Mitch:

Thanks for presenting the background on the picture.

And, yes, we must continue to pray for the people of North Korea. Their government has perpetrated great evil upon them.