COMMUNION OF THE SICK
From The Book of Common Prayer 2019, according to the use of the Anglican Church in North America.
This rite is used when the consecrated elements are brought from an earlier celebration of Holy Communion.

The Minister says
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. - PHILIPPIANS 1:2

The Minister continues
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A psalm may be prayed. Psalms 23, 62, 103, and 145 are particularly appropriate.
One of the following Gospel lessons is read, or the readings appropriate to the day.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  - JOHN 3:16T

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”  - JOHN 6:51, 55-56

Reflection on the Lessons may follow. 

 The Minister may say the Confession, and the People join in as able.
Most merciful God,
   we confess that we have sinned against you
   in thought, word and deed,
   by what we have done,
   and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
   we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
   have mercy on us and forgive us;
   that we may delight in your will,
   and walk in your ways,
   to the glory of your Name. Amen.

A Priest, if present, says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR a Deacon or Lay Person prays
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minister    The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People       And with your spirit.
Minister    Let us pray.

 Minister and People
Our Father, who art in heaven,
      hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
      on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
      as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
     but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
      forever and ever. Amen.

Then may be said
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
       have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
       have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
       grant us your peace.

The minister may say
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Sacrament is then distributed with the following words:
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life.

After Communion, the Minister and People pray
Almighty and everliving God,
   we thank you for feeding us,
   in these holy mysteries,
   with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood
   of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
   and for assuring us, through this Sacrament,
   of your favor and goodness towards us:
   that we are true members of the mystical body of your Son,
   the blessed company of all faithful people;
   and are also heirs, through hope,
   of your everlasting kingdom.
And we humbly ask you, heavenly Father,
   to assist us with your grace,
   that we may continue in that holy fellowship,
   and do all the good works
   that you have prepared for us to walk in;
   through Jesus Christ our Lord,
   to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
   be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

A Priest gives this blessing
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

OR a Deacon or lay person says the following
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
- 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14T

Minister    Let us bless the Lord.
People      Thanks be to God.

 

Additional Prayers

For a Sick Person
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servant N. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of your mercy; comfort him with a sense of your goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In your good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the remainder of his life in your fear, and to your glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Recovery from Sickness
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant N. the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant N., that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Sick Child
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child N., and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care this child N. Relieve his pain, guard him from all danger, restore to him your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for your dear Name’s sake. Amen.

Before an Operation
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant N. in his suffering, and bless the means used for his cure. Though at times he may be afraid, fill his heart with confidence that he may yet put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Strength and Confidence
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant N., and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Sanctification of Illness
Sanctify, O Lord, the sickness of your servant N., that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith and seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may live with you in everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Health of Body and Soul
May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving for a Beginning of Recovery
O Lord, your compassions never fail, and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our brother N. both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him, we pray, the good work you have begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order his life that he may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Sick Person When There is Little Hope for Recovery
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need; We fly to you for aid on behalf of this your servant, here lying in great weakness of body. Look graciously upon him, O Lord; that as he outwardly fades away, you would strengthen him inwardly with your grace and Holy Spirit. Give him true repentance for all the errors of his life, and steadfast faith in your Son Jesus; that his sins may be done away by your mercy, and his pardon sealed in heaven; through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

 

Prayers for use by a sick person

 

For trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In pain
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.

A Prayer When Taking Medicine
Almighty God, in your goodness you created the earth and all its elements, and have given us skill to make medicines that heal and relieve our pain. All healing comes from you, and in you I put my trust. Grant that this medication may, in your mercy, give comfort and bring healing to my body; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Sleep
O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, help me to do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

 

Scriptures for Use by a Sick Person

For perseverance in suffering:   ISAIAH 53, 1 PETER 2:21-25, 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24, 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10,  ROMANS 8:18-39

For hope for healing:   2 KINGS 5:1- 14, JAMES 5:13-20,  LUKE 5:12-26, LUKE 13:10-17, ACTS 3:1-10

For the hope of eternity:   LUKE 2:25-35, JOHN 14, 1 CORINTHIANS 15:42-58, 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-18, 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

See also the Selections of Psalms on page 269.