An Inclusive Language Prayer Of Thanksgiving

This eucharistic prayer uses traditional structure and elements to frame abundant biblical imagery, located especially in the verbs. The liturgical and biblical traditions are enlivened by ancient metaphors and poetic euphony and rhythm. In addition, this text seeks to be inclusive of the experience of a wide variety of Christians in its imagery. The prayer is not one of penitence or catechizing, but of genuine praise and intercession. It is hoped that while each line sounds familiar, the effect of the prayer will be to call us back to yet another image of grace.

It is indeed right, from east to west, from north to south, in all the seasons of our life, to give thanks to you, O God, O Living One. [use this sentence or replace with proper preface:] Dwelling beyond time and space, you abide among us, embracing the world with your justice and love. And so, with all the baptized of every race and land, with the multitudes in heaven and the countless choirs of angels, we praise your glorious name and join their unending hymn: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. Holy God, holy and mighty one, holy and immortal: you we praise and glorify you we worship and adore. You formed the earth from chaos; you encircled the globe with air; you created fire for warmth and light; you nourish the lands with water. You molded us in your image, and with mercy higher than the mountains, with grace deeper than the seas, you blessed the people of Israel and cherished them as your own. That also we, estranged and dying, might be adopted to live in your Spirit, you called to us through the life and death of Jesus, who in the night he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Together as the body of Christ, we proclaim the mystery of his death: CHRIST HAS DIED. CHRIST IS RISEN. CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN. Holy God, holy and merciful one, holy and compassionate, with this bread and cup we remember your Son, the first-born of your new creation. We remember his life lived for others, and his death and resurrection, which renewed the face of the earth. We await his coming when, with the world perfected through your wisdom, all our sins and sorrows will be no more. AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS. Send upon us and this meal your Holy Spirit, whose breath revives us for life, whose fire rouses us to love. Enfold in your arms all who share this meal. Nurture in us the fruits of the Spirit, that we may be a living tree, sharing your bounty with all the world. AMEN. COME, HOLY SPIRIT. Holy and benevolent God, receive our praise and petitions, as Jesus received the cry of the needy, and fill us with your blessing, until, needy no longer and married to your love, we feast forever in the triumph of the Lamb: through whom all glory and honor are yours, O God, O Living One, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, now and forever. AMEN.