Article #36
Subject: some prayers that come before the Holy Communion
Author: Andrew W. Harrell
Posted: 8/18/2008 09:26:51 AM

SOME PRAYERS THAT COME FROM BEFORE THE HOLY COMMUNION*

“Let this holy communion be to me, O God, a beginning of better things, as if
only now I began to know Thee. Let me now and henceforth forsake that which
has tempted me. Let me now and henceforth do those things that I have
perceived to be of Thy will for me; by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and the
intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen”
“Take away from us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, all our iniquities, and the
spirit of pride and arrogance, which Thou resisteth, and fill us with the
spirit of fear, and give us a contrite and humble heart, which Thou dost not
despise; that we may be enabled with pure minds to enter into the Holy of
Holies: through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen”

INVOCATION
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in
the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen

PRAYER FOR PURITY

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom
no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of
thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify thy
holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen



THE INVITATION

Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and
charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the
commandments of God, and walking henceforth in his Holy ways, draw near with
faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your comfort (standing while you are
forgiven by the Almighty God ).

THE GENERAL CONFESSION

We believe in One God, maker of all things seen and unseen, and in his only
Son Jesus Christ…eternal light and life to and from eternal light and
life...loving and true God to and from a loving and true God...born of the
Virgin Mary and Our Father in Heaven, Son of Humankind, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, crucified dead and buried. On the third day he rose from the
dead and ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the throne
of God. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, the
communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the
body. Almighty God, we acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and
wickedness, which from time to time we have most grievously committed, by
thought, word, by deed and by omission of act against thy Divine majesty in
heaven and that of you inside of our brothers and sisters, your creations,
here on this earth. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these
our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s in us sake, forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may hereafter serve and please Thee in newness of life, to
the honor and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

* From a Pocket Prayer Book, Complied by Bishop Ralph Spaulding Cushman and
published by the General Board of Evangelism, United Methodist Church, The
Upper Room, Nashville, TN, 1941. Note there are some slight changes in the
text of the general confession.