Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servants Lazarus, Mary, and Martha of Bethany, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last, with them, we attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.