Preparing our hearts through prayer before receiving Holy Communion helps us approach this sacred sacrament with proper reverence.
Powerful Prayer Before Communion
These prayers before communion guide us in self-examination, thanksgiving, and spiritual readiness to receive Christ’s body and blood worthily. May these prayers deepen your participation in this holy mystery.
1. Prayer Before Communion for Preparation
Lord Jesus, as I prepare to receive You in Holy Communion, cleanse my heart from all sin and distraction. Help me approach Your table with reverence, humility and joyful expectation. Prepare me to receive Your precious body and blood with faith and thanksgiving.
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” I examine my heart before You now. Amen.
2. Prayer Before Communion for Repentance
Merciful Father, I confess my sins before coming to Your table. Wash me clean through Christ’s sacrifice so I may worthily receive this holy sacrament. Create in me a pure heart to receive Your Son.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Cleanse me now as I prepare for communion. Amen.
3. Prayer Before Communion for Humility
Lord Jesus, who humbled Yourself to become our bread of life, grant me true humility as I approach Your table. Remove all pride and self-righteousness, that I may receive You with the simplicity of a child.
Matthew 18:4
“Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Give me childlike humility before communion. Amen.
4. Prayer Before Communion for Faith
Heavenly Father, strengthen my faith as I prepare to receive Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. Help me believe beyond what I can see or understand, trusting in this holy mystery of our faith.
John 6:35
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Increase my faith before communion. Amen.
5. Prayer Before Communion for Thanksgiving
Gracious God, I thank You for the gift of Your Son in Holy Communion. Thank You for His sacrifice that makes this sacred meal possible. Fill my heart with gratitude as I receive this precious gift.
1 Corinthians 11:24
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” I thank You for this remembrance before communion. Amen.
6. Prayer Before Communion for Unity
Lord Jesus, who makes us one body through Your Eucharist, unite me more deeply with all believers as I receive communion. Break down divisions and help me love all members of Your body.
1 Corinthians 10:17
“Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” Unite me with Your Church through communion. Amen.
7. Prayer Before Communion for Healing
Divine Physician, as I prepare to receive Your healing presence in the Eucharist, touch every area of my life that needs restoration – body, mind and spirit. Make me whole through this holy sacrament.
Matthew 8:17
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Heal me through this communion. Amen.
8. Prayer Before Communion for Spiritual Hunger
Bread of Heaven, increase my spiritual hunger for You as I approach Your table. Make my soul thirst for this living bread that gives eternal life. Never let me take this sacrament for granted.
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Give me holy longing before communion. Amen.
9. Prayer Before Communion for the Departed
Lord of life, as I prepare to receive You, I remember those who have died in Christ. May this communion unite me with them in mystical fellowship until we feast together in Your eternal kingdom.
Revelation 14:13
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…their deeds will follow them.” Remember the faithful departed as I commune. Amen.
10. Prayer Before Communion for Mission
Lord Jesus, as I receive You in communion, send me forth strengthened for Your mission. Help me take Your love received here out into the world through word and deed.
John 6:57
“Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” Send me forth after communion. Amen.
11. Prayer Before Communion for the Church
Heavenly Father, as I prepare to receive communion, I pray for Your whole Church. Strengthen all who will partake today worldwide. May this sacrament renew and unite Your people.
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Bless Your Church through this communion. Amen.
12. Prayer Before Communion for Family
Lord Jesus, bless my family as we come to Your table. May this communion strengthen our bonds of love and faith. Draw absent members back to You and to fellowship with Your Church.
Joshua 24:15
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Bless my family through communion. Amen.
13. Prayer Before Communion for Priests
Great High Priest, bless all who will consecrate and administer communion today. Keep them faithful to Your word and example. Anoint their ministry at Your altar and in all their service.
Hebrews 5:1
“Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God.” Bless Your priests before I commune. Amen.
14. Prayer Before Communion for the Sick
Compassionate Christ, I remember before You all who are too ill to receive communion today. Comfort them with Your presence and restore them to health that they may join us at Your table again.
James 5:14
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them.” Heal the sick who cannot commune today. Amen.
15. Prayer Before Communion for the Lonely
Friend of sinners, as I prepare to receive You, remember those who feel isolated from Your body. Draw them into loving fellowship and help them know they belong at Your table.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Comfort the lonely through communion. Amen.
16. Prayer Before Communion for the Doubting
Lord Jesus, I pray for those struggling with doubts about this sacrament. Open their eyes to recognize You in the breaking of bread. Increase all our faith in Your real presence.
Luke 24:35
“Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Reveal Yourself to doubters through communion. Amen.
17. Prayer Before Communion for the Addicted
Liberating Lord, I pray for those bound by addiction who cannot approach Your table freely. Break their chains and restore them to wholeness that they may receive You with joy.
John 8:36
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Free the addicted to receive communion. Amen.
18. Prayer Before Communion for the Dying
Resurrection and Life, I pray for those nearing death who will receive Viaticum. May this final communion strengthen them for their passage into Your eternal kingdom.
John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Comfort the dying through communion. Amen.
19. Prayer Before Communion for the Persecuted
Suffering Savior, I remember believers who risk danger to receive communion. Protect them and strengthen their faith. May their faithful witness convert their persecutors.
Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Strengthen persecuted communicants. Amen.
20. Prayer Before Communion for the Unbelieving
Seeking Shepherd, draw unbelievers to faith that they may join us at Your table. Open their hearts to recognize You in this sacrament and come to saving knowledge of Your love.
John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.” Draw unbelievers to communion. Amen.
21. Prayer Before Communion for Children
Gentle Jesus, bless all children preparing for first communion. Help them understand this sacred gift and receive You with simple, trusting faith throughout their lives.
Mark 10:14
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Bless children receiving communion. Amen.
22. Prayer Before Communion for the Homebound
Good Shepherd, I remember those confined to home who cannot join us. Send Your ministers to bring them communion, that none of Your flock may hunger for Your presence.
Matthew 25:36
“I was sick and you looked after me.” Remember the homebound as I commune. Amen.
23. Prayer Before Communion for the Distracted
Lord Jesus, calm my wandering thoughts as I prepare to receive You. Help me focus completely on this sacred moment and encounter You truly present in the Eucharist.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Quiet my mind before communion. Amen.
24. Prayer Before Communion for the Grieving
Man of sorrows, comfort those mourning losses as they come to Your table. May this communion assure them of eternal life and reunions in Your heavenly kingdom.
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Comfort the grieving through communion. Amen.
25. Prayer Before Communion for Christ’s Return
Coming King, as I receive You in this foretaste of the heavenly banquet, keep me watchful for Your return. May each communion increase my longing for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:9
“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Keep me ready for Your return through communion. Amen.
Conclusion
These prayers before communion help us approach the Lord’s table with prepared hearts, joining believers across time and space in this sacred meal.
May they enrich your participation in the Eucharist, deepening your communion with Christ and His Church until we feast together in the eternal kingdom.