Prayer on the Inward Grace of Holy Communion

I know O my God, that I must look through the Outward Elements, and fix my faith on that which they signifie, and which is the Inward, and Invisible Grace, even Thy own blessed Body and Bloud, which is verily, and indeed, taken and received of the faithful in the Lords Supper.

But tell me, O Thou whom my Soul loveth, How canst Thou give us Thy flesh to Eat?

Lord Thou hast told me that Thy words, they are Spirit and they are life, and are therefore not Carnally to be understood, Lord I believe, Help Thou my Un-Unbelief!

I believe Thy body and blood to be as really present in the Holy Sacrament, as Thy Divine Power can make it, though the manner of Thy Mysterious presence, I cannot comprehend.

Lord I believe, that the Bread that we break, and the Cup that we drink, are not bare signs only, but the real Communication of Thy Body, and Thy Bloud, and pledges to assure me of it, and I verily believe, that if with due preparation I come to Thy Altar, as certainly as I receive the Outward Signs, so certainly shall I receive the thing signified, even Thy most Blessed Body and Bloud, to receive which inestimable Blessing, O merciful Lord, do Thou fit and prepare me. Amen, Amen.