I thank you, Lord for all the saints,
for all the holy women and men
I've known in my own life...
I praise and thank you for those, Lord:
who gave me life...
who loved me...
who raised me...
who rocked me in their arms...
who told me the story of Jesus...
who brought me to church...
who raised me in the ways of faith...
who taught me to pray...
who understood me…
who educated me...
who protected me...
who always had time for me...
who dried my tears...
who schooled me in fairness...
who taught me to love my neighbor...
who were patient with me...
who corrected me...
who loved me when I did not love myself…
who walked the extra mile with me…
who sheltered me from harm...
who taught me to tell the truth...
who forgave me again and again and again...
who gave me good example...
who taught me right from wrong…
who were honest with me…
who believed in me...
who shared their joy with me...
who lifted my spirits when I was sad...
who touched my soul in so many ways...
who healed my heart...
whose integrity shaped my standards...
who always remembered
- and did not forget me...
who befriended me...
who lived a faithful life...
who inspired me...
who sacrificed for me
- in more ways than I know or remember…
who shaped and helped me make
my best memories...
whose wisdom was born of the Spirit...
who kept my secrets...
who comforted me...
who encouraged me...
who challenged me...
who defended me...
who chastised me...
who consoled me…
whose lives modeled fidelity...
whose courage made me brave...
who were there for me
through thick and thin...
who taught me how to hope...
who trusted me...
who took my side…
who taught me to care for others…
who nurtured my gifts and talents...
who had my back...
who gave me a second chance
- and many, many more…
who were my rock and refuge...
who cared for me when I was sick...
who helped me become the person I am...
who prayed for me and prayed for me
- and prayed for me…
who spent their whole lives loving me...
Such as these have been my saints
the saints in my own life, Lord,
the holy men and women
who’ve been your gift to me
and for whom, now, I give you, Lord
all glory, thanks and praise…
Help me be a saint like them
in my own day, in my own ways,
in your eyes, Lord, and in the lives
of all around me...
Amen.
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