As we are unable to gather physically for worship, please join us online for a Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament.
You can follow along in the words below, or click here to open the prayers as a PDF in a separate tab.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.
In Scripture, we hear, “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Christ is that true bread which nourishes and feed us as he comes to us in the sacrament of the altar and in the power of his Spirit day by day. May we then, the Body of Christ in the world, give thanks to God for Christ’s loving presence amongst us.
Come, adore this wondrous presence;
Bow to Christ, the source of grace.
Here is kept the ancient promise
Of God’s earthly dwelling place.
Sight is blind before God’s glory,
Faith alone may see that face.
Glory be to God the Father,
Praise to his co-equal Son,
Adoration in the Spirit,
Bond of love, in Godhead one.
Blest be God by all creation
Joyously while ages run. Amen.
In a moment of silence, let us join with all the heavenly host in that spirit of gratitude and adoration which is the true response of God’s creation to God’s overwhelming love that created us, that redeemed us, and that sustains us day by day.
Silence
Blessed be God.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity.
Blessed be God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, truly divine and truly human.
Blessed be the holy Name of Jesus.
Blessed be Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.
Blessed be Jesus Christ on his throne of glory.
Blessed be Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Blessed be God the Holy Spirit, the giver and sustainer of life.
Blessed be God in the Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and God.
Blessed be God in the angels and in the saints.
Blessed be God.
In the Letter to the Hebrews we hear, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
We therefore pray for the Church and for the world and for those individuals who are particularly on our hearts at this time:
God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation.
We praise and bless you, Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly.
We praise and bless you, Lord.
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence.
We praise and bless you, Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being.
We praise and bless you, Lord.
Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled, that they may be made whole.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Grant to all who are shut in at home, who are lonely, anxious or depressed a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Grant to all who minister to those who are suffering, wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Mend broken relationships, and restore to those in distress soundness of mind and serenity of spirit.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Sustain and support those who seek your guidance and life up all who are brought low by the trials of this life.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Grant to the dying peace, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved.
Hear us, Lord of life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in our world.
Hear us, Lord of life.
You are the Lord who does mighty wonders
You have declared your power among the peoples.
With you, Lord, is the well of life
And in your light we see light.
Hear us, Lord of life;
Heal us, and make us whole.
Let us pray.
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
In the book of the prophet Jeremiah we read, “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Let us pray for that spirit of trust, that in this time of drought we might remain strong in the Lord, that we might continue to bear the fruits of love in all our life.
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of your presence, your love, and your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things. In your most blessed name we pray. Amen.
(a prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola)
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
May the God of mercy transform us by his grace, that we might know the blessings of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.