I’ve been working on a couple little projects as All Saints and All Souls approach and was startled to discover that there are very few resources for these particular days for families. The particular resource I’m creating for families is not focused so much on written prayers but I wanted to provide that option for families that might not want to rely so heavily on their own words.

Here is the collection of things I’ve written and discovered that might enhance your celebrations of the saints and souls gathered in your midst in these tender times of sorrow and joy. They are all intended to be shared around a family meal whether that might be in a congregational format or a regular old dinner table.

Gather us here, O God, 
with all the saints and souls 
that have taught us to be humble in heart
and still to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
They have died and we mourn together
as we try to remember how we will choose 
to live into the kingdom of heaven.
Gather us all together to feast and remember.

O Light of Christ,
bring your steadfast love
here to illuminate 
all that will be gathered here. 
Redeem us from trouble
in the fire of your love. Amen.

Source: Pandemic Liturgy for All Saints from Cooking with Elsa

Some have food and cannot eat. 
Some can eat and have no food.
For those of us who have food can can eat, we thank you.
But do not satisfy us only with this feast,
Give us hunger and thirst for justice and peace.
Amen.

Source: Adapted from Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz

Loving God,
bless our food and drink
our friendship and our laughter
that we may be renewed
in body, mind, and spirit
to work together
for the coming of your kingdom
of justice, love, and peace.
Amen.

Source: from Maureen Edwards originally in printed in Blessed be our Table (Wild Goose, 2003) found on Building Faith

In a world where so many are hungry and thirsty,
may we eat this food with humble hearts;
in a world where so many are lonely,
may we feast with the saints 
and remember what love can do. Amen.

For the hands that tilled,
for the hands that harvested,
for the hands that processed,
for the hands that transported,
for the hands that stocked,
for the hands that sold,
for the hands that bought,
for the hands that prepared,
for the hands that will hold,
for the hand that made the hands,
our hearts are forever grateful.
Amen.

Source: from Ewan Aitken originally in printed in Blessed be our Table (Wild Goose, 2003) found on Building Faith

I started this list because I love poetry and how it adds to worship. There are several poems I’ve used in in worship services I’ve created over the years but this list promises to grow. Please add suggestions in the comments if a verse comes to mind.

• All Souls by May Sarton
• All Saints Day by Anne Morrow Lindenbergh
• All Saints by Corey Van Landingham

Holy God, meet us here at this table 
as we mourn those who have died,
sons and daughters 
mothers and fathers 
siblings and grandparents 
partners and friends.

Names of the deceased are said aloud. As each name is spoken, there is a pause for a bell to ring.

Holy God, meet us here at this table
as we rejoice in the new birth among us,
children and grandchildren 
siblings and friends.

Names of the deceased are said aloud. As each name is spoken, there is a pause for a bell to ring.

Holy God of wind and fire; 
dance through this room today. 
Holy God of earthquakes and illness; 
share our tears of sadness and pain. 
Holy God of creation and new beginnings; 
Show us again your vision of healing and wholeness. 

Source: adapted from Katherine Hawker, a retired United Church of Christ pastor, who originally posted it on Outside the Box but it appears she has taken the site down after retirement.

Blessed are the saints who trust God’s power and loving care,
for they are part of the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the saints when they are sad because the world is so unfair,
They have God’s promise that justice will come.

Blessed are the nobodies who know they are nobodies and still do God’s work. 
In God’s world they are the leaders.

Blessed are the saints whose greatest wish is to do what God desires.
God will give them what they want.

Blessed are the saints who treat other people gently,
God will treat them gently.

Blessed are the saints who get in trouble when they do what God requires,
For they are surely among God’s saints.

Source: Carolyn Brown on Worshiping with Children

There are so many prayers that we might add to these days and I hope that these might help your family express the joy and sorrow that comes in love and grief. And if you’re curious to learn more about the related projects, I’ll be happy to share soon.