Prayer before the Lord’s Supper

My Jesus! How can I sufficiently praise Thy great love, in that Thou hast not only given Thyself into death for me, a poor sinner, but hast ordained Thy holy body and Thy precious blood to be the food of my soul, in the Lord’s Supper! O loving Saviour! Thy death gives me life, and Thy body and blood strengthen and refresh me to life eternal. Through this holy sacrament I abide in Thee and Thou in me: Thou livest in rue, and I attain in Thee righteousness and strength. Therefore my sins can not appal me. and Satan cannot condemn me; for in this feast of grace I receive the pledge of my forgiveness. Here I receive the body which was given into death for me, and the blood which was shed for me, for the remission of sins. This is the blood of atonement, through which satisfaction has been made for my sins and the sins of all men. As surely as I receive this blood, so surely I am reconciled with God and have the forgiveness of my sins.

In the first sacrament, Holy Baptism, which I have received, Thou hast given me the Holy Spirit as the earnest of my inheritance, and implanted the new life in me. By it Thou hast assured me that I am Thy child and heir. In the second sacrament, the Lord’s Supper, Thou givest me the pledge of Thy body and blood, through which Thou wouldest preserve and strengthen the spiritual life in me. my God! Sanctify my soul, strengthen my faith, and cleanse my heart, that I may receive this sacrament worthily and for my salvation. Grant that my thoughts may always be turned toward Thee. Expel from my heart all sinful imaginations and desires, and everything that would hinder my devotions; so that Thou mayest abide in me, and I may abide in Thee, to all eternity. Amen.