Here is a prayer that may be used as a Great Thanksgiving or Eucharistic Prayer in celebrating Holy Communion on Trinity Sunday, coming up in a few days.

It is always good to give you thanks, O God, for our lives are brought forth and renewed by your creating Spirit. You form us in your image and breathe into us the breath of life. You love us with an undying love.

You call us by name and bring us on a journey filled with wonder and amazement. In spite of the dangers and worries of this life, you challenge us to live in just, loving, and humble ways for the sake of the world you love.

When we fail to be the people you need us to be, you continue to draw us toward the light and life of your presence. You offer us grace to become new people, redeemed by the ministry of Christ, empowered by the Spirit of love, blessed by the gifts of Creation.

So as we gather around the table of grace this morning, seeking strength for the journey we are on, we raise our voices with all who have gone before us, with all creation, and with all the company of heaven, to sing your praises: (“Sanctus,” #2257-b in The Faith We Sing)

            Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might.
            Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
            Hosanna in the highest! (3X)
            Blest is the one who come in the name of the Lord.
            Hosanna in the highest! (3X)

Holy God, you sent us your beloved Son Jesus, who identified fully with our humanity, taking on the same flesh we do, knowing the same grief we know in the losses and deaths that accompany life, suffering the same pain we suffer because of the grip of sin upon the world.

Jesus became one of us and one with us in life’s journey.

He welcomed all to the table of grace and gave these common elements of the earth and the vine in celebration of the great gifts of life and joy in the eternal kingdom.

Jesus took the bread, and having blessed it, he gave it to his friends, as he gives it to us today, saying, “This is my body broken for you.”

Jesus took the cup, raised it in blessing, and shared it with his friends, as he shares it with us today, saying, “This is my life poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Whenever you receive these gifts of bread and wine remember me and remember the life that I offer you this day.”

O God—Mother, Father, Spirit, Christ—giver of all good gifts, hope for the weary, strength for the disheartened, peace for the grieving, mercy for the sinner, grace for us all, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us gathered here and upon these gifts. May they become for us the presence of Christ, in whom we find our life and our joy.

By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one in communion with one another, one in solidarity with all who hunger for justice and righteousness, one in harmony with all creation.

Through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be yours, loving God, now and forever. Amen.

Words (c) 2009 Mark Lloyd Richardson
Photo (c) 2012 Dallis Day Richardson
(Permission granted to use this prayer in worship with credit given.)