A Communion Prayer

By Patrick A. O’Donnell December 25, 2025
Preborn Christ Spirituality

Introduction

The following prayer seeks a fruitful union with Jesus—through the Word and through the Sacraments. It asks for a meaningful integration of Christ into one’s life, which necessarily involves a willingness to change. To receive Jesus is not merely to welcome Him inwardly, but to make room for Him, to adjust one’s life to accommodate His presence, and to surrender one’s will to His Will.

Scripture speaks of Christ being formed within us (cf. Galatians 4:19). This prayer draws upon the image of spiritual conception and growth. Just as a pregnant mother must answer truthfully—even to herself—when asked if she is pregnant, “Yes, I am bearing another,” so the Christian must eventually ask: Am I now showing? Is Christ becoming visible in my life?

This prayer is a plea for that grace: not only to receive Christ, but to bear Him, nurture Him, and allow Him to be made manifest for the life of the world.

Prayer for Communion by Word or Sacrament

Seed,
Word that can save souls,
I humbly welcome You into my body.
(cf. James 1:21)

This body is not mine; it is Yours.
You have purchased it at the price of Your blood.
(cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20)

I surrender my body to You
as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God,
(cf. Romans 12:1)
as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
(cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19)

May I receive You, Jesus;
that I may conceive You, Jesus;
that I may bear You, Jesus;
that I may nurture You, Jesus.

With the labor of Mary and Your Church,
may You, Jesus, be formed within me.
(cf. Galatians 4:19)

May the two of us—You, Jesus, and I—
become one within this body of mine,
(cf. Genesis 2:24)
that I may put on the mind of Christ,
(cf. Philippians 2:5)
that You may increase and I may decrease.
(cf. John 3:30)

May I die with You,
so that I may live within You, Jesus.
(cf. Romans 6:8; 2 Timothy 2:11)

Having died,
may it no longer be I who live,
but You who live within me.
(cf. Galatians 2:19–20)

May my life remain hidden with You, Jesus.
(cf. Colossians 3:3)

May Christ be made manifest in this body.
(cf. 1 Timothy 3:16)

May I remain in You, and You in me,
that we may bear much fruit.
(cf. John 15:5)

In this body,
may I complete what is lacking
in the sufferings of Christ,
on behalf of His Body, the Church.
(cf. Colossians 1:24)

May I present Christ to others,
while seeing only Christ in the other,
as I serve Christ—
building the Body of Christ in this world.

Through Jesus,
may I participate in the life and love
of the Blessed Trinity
here in this world
and in eternal life in Heaven.

Amen.

By Patrick A. O’Donnell December 25, 2025

Concluding Reflection / Call to Prayer

To receive Christ is never a static moment—it is the beginning of a transformation. Communion, whether through the Word or the Sacrament, calls us not only to welcome Jesus inwardly, but to allow Him to grow, mature, and become visible through us.

As you pray this prayer, consider asking honestly: Where am I making room for Christ—and where am I resisting the changes His presence requires? May this prayer draw you into deeper surrender, deeper union, and a life that truly bears Christ for the sake of the world.

May the peace of Jesus in the womb of Mary be with you.