The sacraments of the church are essential expressions of our unity as a worldwide fellowship. Sacramental practice that provides for using essentially the same forms and words churchwide (albeit in various languages) reinforces a sense of togetherness in the context of wide diversity.

We interpret the intent of World Conference Resolution 1282, approved on April 3, 2004, as calling for the preparation of alternate prayers that retain the overall structure and content of those found in Section 17 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this way the churchwide use of common forms and wording is preserved.

In recent years, some Communion services provide for the wine to be served immediately following the bread. This is done either as the servers take the emblems to the congregation or as the congregation comes forward to receive. Where this is done, the reading of two separate prayers, one right after the other, can be awkward. For this reason, we believe that the needs of the church will be well served by having a combined prayer that can be used when the emblems are served together. Such prayers, one using the Doctrine and Covenants language and the other the more contemporary wording, are also provided at this time.

The resolution calls for use of “contemporary language.” The attempt has been to replace archaic language with wording that is in current use; this includes gender-specific references to God.

These new prayers will have equal status to those found in Section 17 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In Communion services of the Community of Christ, the prayers found in Section 17 of the Doctrine and Covenants and the prayers given here in contemporary English (and their equivalent translations in other languages) are the only ones authorized for use. Those appointed to read the prayers are not free to use other wording.

The following prayers are now offered for use in the church, in addition to those found in Doctrine and Covenants 17: 22 and 23.

Eternal God, we ask you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who receive it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of your Son, and witness to you, O God, that they are willing to take upon them the name of your Son, and always remember him, and keep the commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Eternal God, we ask you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who receive it, that they may drink in remembrance of the blood of your Son which was shed for them, that they may witness to you, O God, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread and wine to the souls of all those who partake of them, that they may eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Eternal God, we ask you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread and wine to the souls of all those who receive them, that they may eat and drink in remembrance of the body and blood of your Son, and witness to you, O God, that they are willing to take upon them the name of your Son, and always remember him and keep the commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.