This prayer of thanksgiving blends themes that arise from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, with those of communion, as we remember how God invests His life in us by sending His Son to die on the cross. Whilst giving thanks, it reminds us of how God our Father longs for us to find our wholeness and completeness in Him, and of how we are to use the gifts that He has given us, rather than keep them within ourselves. This theme is extended to remind us all of the dangers of burying our tradition (in the mistaken belief that our tradition is preserved by standing still). As the prayer unfolds, I issue a reminder of how despite our tendency to try and live independently, and/or invest only in ourselves, God remains faithful and His grace abounds. The closing part of the prayer, before moving on to recite the words and actions of Jesus, reminds us that if we can invest but a grain of faith in the work of God, we will see great dividends. It invites the hearer to be encouraged by those who have gone before them and discovered this truth for themselves.
One final addition comes after the prayer of consecration, where I look to encourage those who face challenging times by asking God to help us all live free from fear.
Feel free to adapt as necessary….
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Almighty God.
You created the heavens and the earth.
You scattered the seed of love throughout our world.
You invest your breath, your life in us.
You form us into a people who reflect your grace and glory.
You yearn for us to find our completeness in you.
Today we remember the sacrifice of Jesus your Son,
who died on the cross so that our sins might be forgiven,
that we might find our peace with you.
We acknowledge that you expect a return on your investment in us.
We remember that we must not bury the gifts you give us.
Or worse still, bury our tradition, valuing preservation over consecration.
We remember your promise, and declare our faith,
that you will return and bring restoration to our broken world.
And that although Christ has died
Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.
We remember your faithfulness down the generations
Of how you sent prophets and priests to guide your people.
And of how, despite our tendency to try and live independently of you,
or to invest in only ourselves, you sent Jesus, your Son, to walk alongside us.
He has shown us how life will be different
if we can but only find a grain of faith to invest in you.
As we gather, we remember those who have gone before us
who have seen this truth revealed.
Those who are with us now, whom we cannot see,
who join with us in worship, prayer and service.
Who together with us, and the angels and archangels
praise you, and proclaim the eternal truth…
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
We remember how, on the night before he died…..
After supper he took the cup….
And so, in remembrance of his mighty acts,
we offer you these gifts of bread and wine,
and with them ourselves,
as a holy living sacrifice.
You send forth your spirit
You bind us in love
You renew the face of the earth.
Pour out your Holy Spirit
So that these gifts of bread and wine may be transformed,
and may become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Help us to sense your presence.
Whatever challenges we face in our lives,
dispel all fear of what the future might hold.
As we unite and share with one another.
Help us to remember our shared mission to all the world,
and move forward in boldness,
mindful that you will bring us with the whole creation
to your heavenly kingdom.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever, Amen
The bread is broken in the sight of the people.
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
Though we are many, we are one body
because we all share in the one bread.