Preparation for Holy Communion

 Prayers before the Eucharist,
From the Syrian tradition


Holy is the holy Father,

Holy is the holy Son,

Holy is the living and Holy Spirit,

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

And upon us, weak and sinful, be mercy and grace at all times.

Lord have mercy.

Grant us, O Lord God, with knowledge, awe, and reverence to stand before you in purity and holiness, and to worship you as the Lord and Creator of all, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for ever.

Lord have mercy.

To you, O Lord, we stretch forth the hands of our hearts, imploring forgiveness, though unworthy; beseeching you to keep our minds from the power of the enemy, our eyes that they look with restraint, our ears that they listen not to vain things, our hands from the service of sin, and our emotions that they may be moved in you, so that we are entirely yours, O Christ our God for ever.

Lord have mercy.

[Or, if serving at the Altar:

Into your house, O God, have we entered, you holy vessels have we prepared, the garments of purity put on. Unto your sanctuary come we to minister, before your whole church on earth and in the holy company of the redeemed, to make oblation at your altar and to worship in your presence, O Christ our God for ever.

Lord have mercy.]

O wash my hands in innocence;

   And so shall I go to your altar.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;

   And your saints sing with joyfulness.

Let us pray.

Cleanse our hearts and members, O Lord, that they may be instruments of righteousness and fit for all good and right works, making us pure temples and chosen vessels for the service of your glory, and to the praise of your holy name, O Lord and God for ever. Amen.

O pure and spotless Lamb, who offered to the Father an acceptable offering for the expiation and redemption of the whole world; grant us to offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice like your sacrifice which was for us, O Christ our God for ever. Amen.

Sacrifices of praise may we be accounted worthy to offer unto you, O Lord, as a sweet-smelling savor, even all our thoughts and words and deeds, in pure longing after you; and so without spot to appear before you all the days of our life, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.

+Holy is the holy Father,

Holy is the holy Son,

Holy is the living and Holy Spirit. Amen.

- Revision of the form as found in the Cuddesdon Office Book