“I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’”
Lord, let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone to you before us with the gift of faith, for they were redeemed by God. You gave them new life through your Son. You nourished them in the company of your people at your holy table. In your mercy and wisdom, you called them to your nearer presence so that they may rest in your blissful peace forever. Grant us the same peace in this comforting truth.
Almighty and gracious Father,
By the Holy Spirit you have gathered us here this morning, as a small part of your whole church, so as a small part of the very body of Christ, we pray…..where we are corrupt, Lord, purify us; where we are in error, correct us; where we are amiss, reform us; where we are divided, reconcile us; where we are in need, provide for us; where we are right, Lord, strengthen us; all this we ask, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord,
Instead of dependence on you, we so often choose the false comfort of independence from you. Convinced of our own wisdom. Trusting in our own righteousness. Striving to justify ourselves before God on account of our own works, only to find that we do what we don’t want to do, and don’t do what your Spirit calls us to do. Turn our hearts to confess with the apostle Paul, “What a wretched person I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
By your Word, cause us to believe in our Savior faithfully and steadfastly, for He is faithful and steadfast for us. For Christ alone is our comfort and peace, Christ alone is our wisdom and righteousness, Christ alone is our justification and freedom, for Christ alone is our salvation. Hold fast to us in these truths, Lord. Unburden our troubled hearts and minds. Have us rest in the person and work of Christ and Christ alone.
AMEN.