Before Communion

Simple

Prayer of Faith
I believe, O Lord Jesus, that You are truly present
in the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist,
alive and risen from the dead.
Jesus, You said: “I am the living bread
which comes down from heaven;
if anyone eats of this bread,
he will live for ever” (John 6:51).
Jesus, we offer you the gifts of bread and wine,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit,
they become Your Most Precious Body and Blood.
I will receive You in Holy Communion,
with faith and love, for the forgiveness of my sins,
and life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Hope
O Lord, Jesus, You are my hope,
and I open my heart to You!
In Holy Communion,
You will abide in me and bless me.
You will nourish and strengthen me.
You will bring healing to my soul and body.
You will guide me and protect me.
You will teach me and enlighten me.
You will comfort me and give me peace.
Soon, You will make me holy, and You will raise me up;
and I shall dwell in Your house for ever. Amen.

Prayer of Love
Dear Jesus, I love You!
You are the Vine, and I am Your branch.
Apart from You, I can do nothing.
Only with You, can I bear good fruit.
In Holy Communion, I abide in Your love.
I will keep Your commandments, and abide in Your love.
Teach me to love others, as You have loved me.
In the Mystery of the Eucharist,
on the Cross, You renew the gift of Your Life to me.
Unworthy as I am, a sinner, I receive it with love.
In Your Resurrection and Ascension in glory,
Your raise me up, to a new life in You.
May I live my life, as a gift to You.
Amen.

Advanced

Prayer 1
St. John Chrysostom
I am not worthy, O Sovereign Lord, to have You come under the roof of my soul. Yet because of Your love for all, You desire to dwell in me; and I boldy approach. Command the gates, which You alone made, to open, and You will enter with love, as is Your nature. You will enter and enlighten my darkened reasoning. I believe that You will do this, for You did not dismiss the harlot who approached You with tears, nor cast out the repenting publican. You did not reject the thief who acknowledged Your reign, nor forsake the repentant persecutor for what he was. But You counted as Your friends all those who came to You in repentance. For You alone are blessed, always, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer 2
St. John Chrysostom (†407)
O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, absolve and remit, forgive and pardon the faults, transgressions, and trespasses which I, Your sinful, unprofitable, and unworthy servant have committed from my youth to the present day and hour, whether knowlingly or in ignorance, in word, deed, or thought, and in all my senses. And through the intercession of Your Mother, the all pure and every Virgin Mary, who conceived You without seed — my only sure hope, protection, and salvation — count me worthy, uncondemned, to partake of Your pure, immortal, life-giving, and awesome Mysteries, for the forgiveness of sins, for eternal life, for sanctification and enlightenment, for strength, healing and health of both soul and body, for the obliteration and complete removal of my evil thoughts and memories, superstitions and nocturnal fantasies brought by dark and evil spirits. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory, the honour, and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer 3
St. John Damascene (†777)
I stand before the doors of Your temple, O Christ my God, but I have not refrained from indulging in sinful thoughts. You justified the publican, showed mercy to the Canaanite woman, and opened the gates of paradise to the thief. Therefore, open for me the depth of Your love, and receive me as I draw near and touch You, as did the harlot and the woman with the issue of blood. The latter touched only the hem of Your garment, and she immediately received healing, while the former, clinging to Your pure feet, obtained forgiveness of her sins. May I, the miserable one, not be consumed by darying to receive Your whole Body. Receive me as You received them, enlightening my inner perceptions and consuming my sinful deeds, through the intercession of her who gave birth to You without seed, and of the heavenly powers. For You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

To the Mother of God
By St. Cyril of Alexandria
Most blessed and glorious Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, you are the nourisher of our lives. Your ‘Blessed Fruit’ is the Bread of Life and the Wine of Endearment which strengthens and gives life to those who trust in Him. I entreat you, make me worthy to partake of this truly divine Food and Drink which your only Son, our God, has given us, to fill us with grace and glory. Make us worthy to bless Him and you, always, now and for ever and ever. Amen.