Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!  It's an amazing thought, all around us is this exciting holiness, the saints from pervious generations, those who left us not long ago, those around us now, those who we know and those on the other side of the world.

Whenever we pray, even if its a short arrow prayer shot up to God in desperation, we are surrounded by the exciting holiness of this great cloud of witnesses.  We are not alone and can celebrate that.

Take just a very few examples:

St Therese, the 19th Century French Nun, who's relics have recently toured the UK, who calls us to look to the person who we struggle most to like and then offer an especial act of service, care and love to that person. 

Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador in 1970's who was willing to give his life for the people who he served and stand up with them to the dictatorial government of El Salvador, even if it lead to him being gunned down at his altar whilst celebrating Communion on 24 March 1980.

Pete and Jo and their sons, church leaders in Lesotho, who are today founding churches under trees, or in tents; and teaching sustainable farming and the most basic of healthcare [that children with diarrhoea need to drink water if they are not to die of dehydration].

Richard and all of the volunteers at the Swindon Food Bank who give food to those in need in our town.

As we celebrate all the Saints of God, remember the presence of this exciting holiness, this cloud of witness all around us, remember that we are not alone in our prayers, our worship or our faith.