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    Additional Short Prefaces  
     
    Any Saint (traditional language)
    And now we give thee thanks
    who in the righteousness of thy saints
    hast given us an example of godly living,
    and in their blessedness a glorious pledge
          of the hope of our calling,
    that, being encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
    we may run with patience the race that is set before us,
    and with them receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.
     
    Apostles and Evangelists
    And now we give you thanks
    because your Son Jesus Christ after his resurrection
    sent forth his apostles and evangelists
    to preach the gospel to all nations
    and to teach us the way of truth.
     
    Martyrs
    And now we give you thanks
    that in the witness of your martyrs
    who follow Christ even to death
    you reveal your power made perfect in our human weakness.
     
    For the Holy Cross, see here.
    For the Blessed Virgin Mary, see here.
    For John the Baptist, see here.
     
    Additional Blessings  
     
    Simple Blessings
     
    God give you grace to share the inheritance of his saints in glory;
    and the blessing of God almighty,
    the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
    be among you and remain with you always.
All
  Amen.
     
    (or)
     
    God give you grace to follow his saints
    in faith and truth and gentleness;
    and the blessing …
     
    Solemn Blessings
     
    God,
    the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation,
    to know the hope to which he has called you.
All 
  Amen.
     
    God,
    who has shown you a pattern of holy living and holy dying
         in the lives of the saints,
    bring you to share their glorious inheritance.
All 
  Amen.
     
    God,
    who calls you no longer strangers
    but fellow citizens with the saints,
    set your hearts and minds on things above,
    where Christ is seated at God's right hand.
All 
  Amen.
     
    And the blessing of God almighty,
    the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
    be among you and remain with you always.
All 
  Amen.
     
    (or)
     
    May God the Father bring us to the home
    which his Son prepares for all who love him.
All 
  Amen.
     
    May God the Son give us the will
    to live for him each day in life eternal.
All  
  Amen.
     
    May God the Holy Spirit give us the assurance
    that our citizenship is in heaven
    with the blessed and beloved,
    and the whole company of the redeemed.
All 
  Amen.
     
    And the blessing of God almighty,
    the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
    be among you and remain with you always.
All 
  Amen.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.