By Robin G. Jordan
This Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration is a revision of a prayer that I included in my article, “A Modern Anglican Service of the Lord's Supper: The Liturgy of the Table.” It incorporates textual material from two Lutheran sources, Now the Feast and Celebration (1990) and Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) and two Anglican sources, An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and Common Worship: Resources for Gospel-Shaped Gatherings (2012). Except for the omission of the Prayer of Humble Access and the addition of “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…” and “Renew us in your service, Father…,” the prayer follows the basic structure of the 1552 Canon.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks and praise, Lord, holy Father, Mighty Creator and eternal God.
Here the minister continues with the preface for the day if one is appointed (see A Service of Holy Communion for the North American Mission Field) continuing…
Therefore, with all those gathered around your throne in heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious, name, in words of never-ending praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory to you, Lord most high.
or
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
You are indeed holy, gracious and merciful God; everything, everywhere is filled with your glory. We give you thanks for your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who by his death on the cross and rising to new life offered the one true sacrifice for sin, and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive praise and honor,
and glory and power,
for ever and ever!
Hear us, heavenly Father, and grant that we who receive these gifts of your creation, this bread and this wine according to our Savior’s command, in remembrance of his suffering and death, may be partakers of his body and blood.
Renew us in your service, Father, and help us to love one another as members of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Jesus’ words of institution are said, the minister breaks the bread and takes hold of the cup in the sight of all the people.
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it, then gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
In the same way after the meal, Jesus took the cup and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
The minister may say
Come let us eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
All receive communion.
Those who distribute the bread and deliver the cup may say
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
or
Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
The minister says
Let us pray.
As our Savior taught us, we are confident to say,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen
The minister leads the people in a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication.
I would appreciate feedback from anyone who gives this prayer a trial.
