Precious Lord, we thank you for all those who have served you faithfully through all the ages.
We thank you for the apostles and disciples who received the good news from our Lord Jesus with rejoicing and spread the message of salvation in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We thank you for those who wrote your word by the inspiration of the Spirit. And for those who have faithfully copied, translated and published it over many centuries.
We thank you for wise leaders and diligent scholars and faithful teachers who have passed down to us the faith “once delivered to the saints”.
We thank you for men and women who at much cost to themselves have travelled the world to preach and proclaim the gospel, plant churches, and serve those in need.
We thank you for those who have given their lives for the gospel.
We thank you for those who have brought Jesus to each of us personally: grandparents and parents, who have raised many of us in families nurtured by love and respect for you; and for loving people who have shared you with those who have no family.
We thank you for brothers and sisters who have shared their love for you, friends who have made Jesus known to us, and preachers and teachers who have nourished and instructed us in the faith.
For all these saints, we thank you, Lord, with humility and great rejoicing in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
— Brian McKinlay