What is the Great Thanksgiving?
The Great Thanksgiving (or Eucharistic Prayer) is the prayer over which the minister of Word and Sacrament presides at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This tradition of prayer has been passed down (with variations) through centuries of Christian worship; its origins are thought to be in the third century. The typical structure of the Great Thanksgiving consists of the following elements: Dialogue (“The Lord be with you,” “Lift up your hearts”) Preface (thanksgiving to God for creation and the history of salvation; this section of the prayer often varies according to the liturgical season) Sanctus and Benedictus (said or sung by the congregation: “Holy, holy, holy,” “Blessed is he”) Post-Sanctus (continued thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Jesus Christ) Words of Institution (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, e.g.; in Presbyterian practice, these words are often said at the Breaking of the Bread) Anamnesis/Oblation (remembrance of Christ and offering of praise and thanksgiving) Memor
