Prayer Before Mass (1.4)

26 January 2007

These are two (either or) our music team prays every week.

PRAYER BEFORE MASS*
O God, to whom every heart is open,
every desire known and from whom no secrets are hidden;
purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you and worthily praise your holy Name.
Amen.

OR

PRAYER BEFORE MASS**

Lord, I come to this Mass to praise and thank you. On this holy ground and in this sacred space, I remember and celebrate your presence.

No matter how solemn or simple this Eucharistic liturgy will be, it is celebrated in response to your invitation "Do this in memory of me."

Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege to worship you in this way. Thank you for planting in my heart the grace to desire your presence in those gathered here today, in your sacred Word and in the bread and wine.

I come in faith. May I be open to your gentle touch.

May I be open to your sacred Word and listen to it as a personal challenge.

I bring you my special needs, fears, grudges, self-pity and petty concerns. I ask your help and guidance, Lord, to become a better
person. If my cares and worries interfere with my prayer at this Mass, accept them as my feeble gifts. Transform them by your grace.

As the bread and wine will be changed into your sacramental presence, so also change me. My whole being praises, honours and glorifies you. I come into your presence with joy.

AMEN
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*I have this scribbled in my prayer book, don't quite remember where it came from.
**Our parish prays this one, though not together or aloud.
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Here's a thought......

What is there to prevent every 'ministry' from saying either of the above prayers just before they 'serve' Mass? Instead of the dissimilar, inconsistent (some prepared, others less so) and ad-hoc utterances which masquerade as pre-Mass prayers.

Think about it.