Prayers Before and After Holy Communion

A Short Prayer Before Communion

Lord Jesus, I come to your table hungry for you. You know the week I have had, the things I have done and the things I have left undone. Forgive me and make me ready. Quiet the noise in my mind, so that I can receive you with faith and love. Feed me with yourself, the bread of life. Amen.

Scripture reference:
John 6:35 — “Jesus answered, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.’”

A Very Short Prayer as You Go Forward to Receive

Lord, I am not worthy, but you invite me. Come to me and make me whole. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Matthew 8:8 — “The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.’”

Prayer in Remembrance of the Lord's Supper

Lord Jesus, on the night you were betrayed you took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to your friends. As I receive this bread and this cup, I remember you: your love, your cross and your rising. Let this remembering change me, and keep me faithful to you until you come again. Amen.

Scripture reference:
1 Corinthians 11:24 — “… and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’”

Prayer for Unity at the Lord's Table

Lord, we are many, and we come to your table from different homes, histories and hurts. Make us one in you. Heal the divisions among Christians and the quarrels in our own congregation. Let the bread we share teach us to share our lives, and to welcome everyone you welcome. Amen.

Scripture reference:
1 Corinthians 10:17 — “Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.”

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

The Anima Christi dates from the early fourteenth century. It is often linked with St Ignatius of Loyola, who placed it at the start of his Spiritual Exercises, but it is about a hundred years older than he is. It is a natural prayer to say quietly after receiving Communion. The English here is a new translation from the Latin made for this page.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Do not let me be separated from you.
From the wicked enemy defend me.
At the hour of my death call me,
and bid me come to you,
that with your saints I may praise you
for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture reference:
John 6:56 — “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.”

Thanksgiving After Communion

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to me in this Communion. Stay with me now. Let the gift I have received not end at the altar, but go with me into my work, my home and every conversation of this week. Make me grateful, and make me more like you. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Psalm 116:12–13 — “How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me? I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.”

Prayer as You Leave the Church

Lord, you made yourself known to your disciples in the breaking of the bread, and they hurried to tell others. Send me out today with the same joy. Open my eyes to recognise you in the people I meet, especially the poor and the lonely, and let my life show that I have been with you. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Luke 24:35 — “Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.”

Prayer When You Cannot Receive Communion

When illness, distance or any other reason keeps you from receiving Communion, you can still ask Christ to come to you in your heart. Catholics call this a spiritual communion. The prayer below was written for this page.

Lord Jesus, I cannot receive you at the altar today, but I long for you. I believe you are near, and I open my heart to you. Come to me in spirit and stay with me. Never let me be separated from you. Amen.

Scripture reference:
John 15:4 — “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.”

Prayer for a First Holy Communion

Lord Jesus, today [Name] receives you in Holy Communion for the first time. Thank you for welcoming children to yourself. Bless this day and everyone celebrating with us. Let [Name] always know that you love them, and keep them close to you all their life. May this be the first of many joyful meetings with you. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Matthew 19:14 — “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”