+
 |
| Melanesian Anglican religious visiting the Church of England |
A Melanesian Prayer Book provides three forms of preparation for the Mass in very simple English.
The Church in Melanesia speaks many different languages, and the simplified modern English provides a basis for common translations. The version of the Lord's Prayer in The Melanesian Prayer Book has been received favourably in many parts of the Anglican world especially in communities when English is a second language.
The following form of Preparation to receive the Blessed Sacrament comes from an earlier text that was written in the Prayer Book English of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
A Preparation for Holy Communion Form 1
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
GOD, without you we are not able to please you, may your Holy Spirit guide and rule our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
LORD Jesus Christ, you are about to come to us in your holy Sacrament, prepare our hearts for yourself. Amen.
(Hymn—Meditation or Address)
GOD, help me to see my sins as you see them, that I may truly repent and be forgiven. Amen.
SILENCE
WE confess to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and before the whole company of heaven, that we have sinned in what we have thought, said, and done, through our own fault, and we pray God to have mercy on us. Amen.
GOD, you rule over all, have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins and save us from all evil, make us strong to do good and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Then, if a Priest is there, he shall say—
MAY the merciful Lord forgive you, put away all your sins, give you time to mend your lives, and the grace and help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us ask for faith in God:
GOD, help us to draw near with faith and be made strong in our fight. against the temptations of the world, the body and the devil. Amen.
Let us pray that we may be hungry and thirsty for our spiritual food:
LORD Jesus Christ, may we come hungry and thirsty to the Sacrament of your love and receive heavenly food and drink from you. Amen.
Let us pray for faith in Christ coming to us in the Blessed Sacrament:
GOD give us faith as we come to communion that we may be sure that you are there. Amen.
Let us pray to be made one in the Holy Sacrament:
GOD, you have made us one family in Christ. May we be made more and more one among ourselves and with all the Company of Heaven, through communion with you in the holy Sacrament. Amen.
Let us pray for holy fear:
GOD, when we make our communion may we come near with holy fear and love, that you may welcome us to your holy table. Let us pray that we may not be afraid to come because of our sins. Amen.
LORD Jesus Christ, you have told us to come without fear to the throne of grace, give us courage humbly to obey so kind a call. Amen.
O SAVIOUR of the world, by your cross and dear blood you have set us free;
Save us and help us, we humbly pray you, Lord. Amen.
SOUL of Christ, make me holy.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, refresh me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Suffering of Christ, make me strong.
O good Jesus, hear me.
In your wounds hide me,
Let me not be separated from you,
From the enemy who hates me defend me,
In the hour of my death, call me,
And tell me to come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
As men wait for the morning so do we wait for you, Christ. Come with the new day and make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread for you are our God for ever. Amen.
OUR FATHER in heaven, holy be your Name, your rule come, your will be done, in the world as it is in heaven. Give us this day our food for today. Forgive us what we do wrong as we forgive those who do wrong to us. Bring us not into trouble to try us, but save us from evil. For yours is the rule and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord be you;
And with you.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
All Say.—
ALMIGHTY God, all hearts are open, and all desires known to you, and no secrets are hidden from you; cleanse our thoughts by the breath of your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly love you and worthily praise your holy Name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(The Liturgy continues with Kyrie eleison.)
+
