The Door of Heaven: A Manual for Holy Communion

If an evil thought comes to you, throw it out. Pray for help. Say: "Lord, help me." "God, help me." "O Holy Spirit, strengthen me."

GRACE BEFORE MEALS

Bless, O Lord, the food we are about to receive, and make us mindful of the wants of others, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

GRACE AFTER MEALS

For these and all His mercies God's Holy Name be praised.

VARIOUS PRAYERS

BEFORE SERVICE

Keep me, O Lord, from wandering thoughts in this Thy Service, and may my prayers and my praise be pleasing to Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AFTER SERVICE

Accept, O Lord, this my service of praise and thanksgiving, and pardon all that Thou hast seen amiss, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

FOR HONESTY

O Almighty God, Who out of Thine abundance givest to all men that which seemeth best in Thy sight; give me strength to be in all things honest before Thee in my daily work and life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR FORGIVENESS

May the Almighty God have mercy upon me, pardon all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR FAITH

Give me, O Lord my God, a firm and living faith in Thee, that I may believe all Thy Holy Church teaches, and Thy Holy Word reveals, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

FOR PURITY

O Almighty God, of Thy mercy help me in temptation and keep me from all Impure thoughts, impure words, and impure deeds. Preserve me clean and spotless, that my body may be a holy temple fit for Thee to dwell in, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

FOR LENT

[Lent is the period of forty days before Easter; by keeping it we follow the example of our blessed Lord and Saviour. Examine your whole life, ask for pardon and strength to do better, and deny yourself something every day in food, comfort, sleep, or enjoyment.]

O blessed Saviour, Who didst fast in the desert for forty days for our sakes, and to set us a holy example of self-denial, grant that I may faithfully use this time of Lent which Thy Holy Church has set apart, that I may follow Thee in prayer and self-denial, and confessing my sins to God, may be pardoned, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION

St. Paul says, "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup."

You must guard against the danger of coming carelessly and without preparation to Holy Communion; so make a rule to always examine yourself carefully before you come.

First kneel down and say: —

O God, Thou knowest everything that I have said, and thought, and done. Help me now to examine myself, that I may see my sins and be sorry for them. Send Thy Holy Spirit into my heart to help me, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Then ask yourself: —

1. Am I trying to love and serve God with all my heart?

2. Have I fallen into any special sin, which is troubling my mind, and keeping me back from God?

3. Have I said my prayers reverently and carefully every night and morning?

4. Have I been to Church every Sunday, and kept the rest of the day as I ought?

5. Have I tried to forgive any who may have done me a wrong?

6. Have I done anything impure, or said anything impure, or encouraged any impure thought?

7. Have I been honest in everything?

8. Have I always told the truth?

9. Have I thought or spoken evil of another?

10. Have I quarrelled with any one, or lost my temper?

11. Is there any sin I am not willing to give up?

12. Have I been regular in my times of receiving the Holy Communion?

Whenever you find you have been wrong, confess your fault to God, and ask for his pardon; say: —

O Father Almighty, forgive me for this sin that I have committed, and send down Thy Holy Spirit into my heart that I may do better in the future, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

[If you have any trouble in your mind, or cannot quiet your own conscience, either from some sin that you have committed, or from doubt as to whether you ought to come to Holy Communion, do not be afraid to go to your Clergyman, and ask him to help you.]

Also on Saturday night or Sunday morning use the following Office of Preparation: —

Kneel down and say: —

LORD, have mercy upon me.

CHRIST, have mercy upon me.

LORD, have mercy upon me.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

I am truly sorry, O Lord, that I have grieved Thee by my sins, and I wish that my sorrow was far greater. I am not worthy to be called Thy child, but Thou art still my most merciful Father. Make me to hate sin and to long for holiness: for Jesus' sake. Amen.

I love Thee, O my God, for all Thy mercy to me, and I desire to love Thee more and more. Let no earthly love possess my heart, so as to let me forget Thee. Give me Thy Holy Spirit that I may love Thee more truly, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.