A THIRD ALTERNATIVE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION

This alternative Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration may be used in the Holy Communion, Second Order. Like the other three prayers it has two epiclesis, no invocation of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine, and no oblation of any kind. Like the first and second alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration, it has no special prefaces. The preface incorporates phrases from the special prefaces of the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration printed in the Holy Communion, Second Order, giving it a fuller commemoration of Christ’s saving work than the first and second alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving and Consecration. The first epiclesis forms the post-sanctus and contains an allusion to 1 Corinthians 10:16. The second epiclesis contains an allusion to Ephesians 5:8. The prayer has five acclamations—one after the first epiclesis, one after the Words of Institution about the bread, one after the Words of Institution about the cup, one after the second epiclesis, and a doxology at the conclusion of the prayer. This prayer may be used year round.

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 and a good and joyous thing

 that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you, Holy Father,

almighty and everlasting God,

for you sent your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
to redeem us from sin and death

to be the first fruits of a new creation.

Though he is one with you and the Holy Spirit,

he humbled himself and was obedient,

even to death on a cross,

that we might have life through him.

On the cross he offered his life to you in perfect obedience,

making there propitiation for not only our sins

but the sins of the whole world.

By his death he has destroyed death;

by his rising to life again he has restored to us eternal life.

When he had ascended into heaven

and was enthroned at your right hand,

he poured out the promised Holy Spirit on his chosen people,

and made us a royal priesthood called to serve you for ever.

Therefore with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven

we proclaim your great and glorious name,

for ever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Holy God, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine,

and pray that we who eat and drink them,

believing our Savior’s word,

may share in his most precious body and blood.

Amen. We believe.

The minister takes the bread into his hands and says

On the night that he was betrayed, he took bread;

and, when he had given thanks,

he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take, eat;

this is my body which is given for you:

Do this in remembrance of me.

Amen. His body was broken for us.

The bread may be broken here.

The minister takes the cup into his hands and says

In the same way, after supper he took the cup;

and, when he had given thanks,

he gave it to them, saying: Drink this all of you,

this is my blood of the new covenant

which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Amen. His blood was shed for us.

Father, with this bread and this cup

we do as our Savior commanded,

we remember all that he has done for us,

and we look for his glorious coming.

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Strengthen us, Father, with your Holy Spirit

that we may walk as becomes children of the light,

bearing witness to the world that Christ is our life,

and glorifying you in all we do and say.

Amen. Come Holy Spirit.

Accept this our prayer

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

with whom and in whom,

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

we worship you, Father almighty,

in songs of never-ending praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power

are yours for ever and ever. Amen.