A Prayer of Remembrance

Eternal God,
our Alpha and Omega,
the one who was before anything
and will endure beyond all things,
we close our eyes and
memories flood our minds.

We remember family and friends,
experiences and events that have shaped us.

We see faces of dear ones no longer with us.
And we feel buoyed up
by those countless witnesses
who have gone before us,
linking one generation to the next
and stretching back
to the foundations of our faith.

We give thanks for all
who have gone before us
and who have helped guide us
on our way.

When we feel discouraged,
remind us of their example.

We acknowledge that not all memories are happy.
Keep us from drowning in memories of the past
that prevent us from living fully
in the present
and impede us from greeting
the promise of the future.

Release us from memories
that bind us tighter
than Lazarus' grave clothes.

Heal us and send us on our way.

Make our memories
serve as a measure of how far
we have come by faith.
In recounting our stories,
help us inspire others
on their journeys.

When we grow weary or lose courage,
whisper your secrets of grace to us
and help us attune our ears
to the songs of the faithful
that urge us onward.

Remind us of your love and faithfulness.

With the cloud of witnesses cheering us on,
draw us into the future.

By the example of the saints,

Dare us to imagine
some bright new future of joy.

Lead us to the city
rising anew on your holy mountain
where all are gathered in
and where all memories reside
with you.

In Jesus' Name

Amen.

-George R. Graham

Let us journey on... with precious memories...