Short Midday Prayer with Eucharist

I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother ,
like a weaned child is my soul within me …
put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.        
(Psalm 131:2-3, NIV)
 
Pause in silence
 
Come now, little one,
turn aside for a while
from your daily employment,
escape for a moment
from the tumult of your thoughts.
Put aside your weighty cares,
let your burdensome distractions wait,
free yourself awhile for God
and rest awhile in God’s presence.
Enter the inner chamber of your soul,
shut out everything except God
and that which can help you in seeking God’s face.
And when you have shut the door, seek God.
Now, my whole heart, say to God,
‘I seek your face, Lord,
it is your face I seek’.
(Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury, adapted)
 
Pause in silence
 
As I listen to your word
may I hear your gentle whisper.
 
Readings from the Lectionary
 
As your word goes with me this day,
may it renew my heart and mind.
 
Time for reflection
 
Examine your motives, test your heart,
and come to this meal in holy awe.
(1 Corinthians 11:28, The Message)
 
Pause for reflective self-examination
 
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever.  Amen.
 
Eucharist
 
We come to this quiet centre again,
recognizing Christ’s presence in each of us
who share this simple meal.
 
As we partake of the bread and wine,
we do so with faith and hope in the coming Christ.
We serve each other as a sign of our commitment
to one another
and of our communion with all the saints.
 
We remember that Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took the bread, broke it (break the bread), gave it to his disciples (hold bread up) and said,
“Take and eat, this is my body given for you.”
In the same way he took the cup (hold up the cup) and said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for you.”
 
Let us give thanks for the bread and wine.
 
Prayer of thanks for the bread and wine
 
(Suggested prayer)
Jesus, we give you thanks for these gifts of broken bread and poured out wine, signs of your love and sacrifice for us. As we share this simple feast, may we be aware of the mystery of your loving, transforming presence in our midst.  Amen
  
Words to share Eucharist
 
The body of Christ given for you.
The blood of Christ shed for you.
 
Silent reflection
 
All shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well.
                                       (Prayer of Julian of Norwich)
 
Pause in silence
 
Prayer for others
 
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
 
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(Prayer of Francis of Assisi)
 
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ,
the extravagant love of God,
the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit,
be with all of you.  Amen.
(2 Corinthians 13:13, The Message)