[[Pastoral Theology]] / Sacramental Preparation > [!note] New - 2026-03-26 ![[assets/covers/sacramental-preparation.jpg]] Sacramental preparation is the spiritual and moral readiness required of communicants approaching the Eucharist. It involves examining one’s conscience, committing to repentance and faith, and seeking reconciliation with others. ## Examination of Conscience The Ten Commandments serve as a traditional template for examining one’s conduct in preparation for receiving the sacrament.[^bray-common-prayer-p79] This practice, whilst it may feel unorthodox, provides a structured way for communicants to assess their spiritual state before approaching the table. ## Repentance and Faith Sacramental preparation emphasises two central spiritual dispositions: repentance and faith. Repentance consists of genuine sorrow for sin and the intention to turn from it and obey God; faith means trusting in Jesus Christ as the one who saves us from sin and grants us new life. These are not one-time commitments but ongoing spiritual practices that should shape a communicant’s regular approach to the Eucharist.[^bray-common-prayer-p88] ## Requirements for Communion The Book of Common Prayer addresses its invitation to Communion not to those who are perfect, but to those who are penitent, genuinely sorry for their sins, committed to reconciliation with others, and determined to lead a new life.[^bray-common-prayer-p89] This is a profoundly powerful statement of spiritual realism: the sacrament is offered to those willing to embark on transformation rather than to the already sanctified. It follows that only those who had intentionally prepared themselves on a given occasion remained for Communion itself.[^bray-common-prayer-p78] ## Prayer of Humble Access The Prayer of Humble Access, one of the most beautiful and soul-stirring prayers in the Prayer Book, articulates the purpose of sacramental preparation. Its plea is that Communion should be a moment when this relationship of faith is strengthened and nourished, producing the desired fruit for eternity.[^bray-common-prayer-p92] ## Selected passages > ![[assets/covers/bray-common-prayer.jpg|28]] ‘The rubrics at the start of the Communion service are a guide (pp. 241- 2), and the Ten Commandments have traditionally been understood as ==a template for examining our own conduct to prepare to receive the sacrament== (pp. 243- 44).’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 79 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 90.jpg|🖼️]]) > ![[assets/covers/bray-common-prayer.jpg|28]] ‘This plateau (or “base camp”) ... phase emphasizes two aspects of the spiritual preparation for this ascent: ==repentance,== that is, being sincerely sorry for our sin and ==intending to turn from it== and obey God; and ==faith,== that is, trusting in Jesus Christ as the one who saves us from sin and gives us new life.’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 88 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 101.jpg|🖼️]]) > ![[assets/covers/bray-common-prayer.jpg|28]] ‘It is addressed not to those who are perfect, but to those who are penitent ==(“truly and earnestly repent you of your sins”)== and who are committed to reconciliation with others ==(“are in love and charity with your neighbours”)== and personal ho- liness ==(“intend to lead a new life”).==’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 89 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 102.jpg|🖼️]]) ## Appearances - *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, Samuel L. Bray and Drew Nathaniel Keane - 6 Ascending to Heaven: Holy Communion, pp. 79–78 ## Related [[Eucharistic Practice]] . [[Eucharistic Theology]] . [[Repentance and Contrition]] . [[Faith and Sacraments]] . [[Self-Examination]] . [[Sacramental Theology]] [^bray-common-prayer-p79]: [[How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy]], p. 79 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 90.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘The rubrics at the start of the Communion service are a guide (pp. 241- 2), and the Ten Commandments have traditionally been understood as **a template for examining our own conduct to prepare to receive the sacrament** (pp. 243- 44).’ [^bray-common-prayer-p88]: Ibid., p. 88 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 101.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘This plateau (or “base camp”) ... phase emphasizes two aspects of the spiritual preparation for this ascent: **repentance,** that is, being sincerely sorry for our sin and **intending to turn from it** and obey God; and **faith,** that is, trusting in Jesus Christ as the one who saves us from sin […]’ [^bray-common-prayer-p89]: Ibid., p. 89 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 102.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘It is addressed not to those who are perfect, but to those who are penitent **(“truly and earnestly repent you of your sins”)** and who are committed to reconciliation with others **(“are in love and charity with your neighbours”)** and personal ho- liness **(“intend to lead a new life”).**’ [^bray-common-prayer-p78]: Ibid., p. 78 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 89.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘Communion might be offered more frequently still, but **only those who had inten- tionally prepared to receive it on a given occasion stayed for that part of the scrvice.**’ [^bray-common-prayer-p92]: Ibid., p. 92 ([[sources/scans/bray-common-prayer/How to Use the Book of Common Prayer - 105.jpg|🖼️]]) . ‘This prayer, known as **the Prayer of Humble Access, is one of the most beautiful and soul- stirring in the prayer book,** Its plea is “that Communion should be a moment when this relationship of faith is strengthened and nourished, producing the desired fruit for eternity.”* Only one prayer […]’