Father, we acknowledge your greatness;
all your actions show your wisdom and love,
You formed us in your own likeness
and set us over the whole world
to serve you, our Creator,
and to rule over all creatures.

Even when we disobeyed you and lost your friendship
you did not abandon us to the power of death,
but helped us seek and find you.
Again and again you offered us a covenant,
and through the prophets
taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you so loved the world
that in the fullness of time
you sent your only Son to be our Savior.
He was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
like us in all things but sin.

To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,
to prisoners, freedom,
and to those in sorrow, joy.
In fulfillment of your will
he gave himself up to death,
he destroyed death and restored life.

And that we might live
no longer for ourselves but for him,
he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,
as his first gift to those who believe,
to complete his work on earth
and bring us the fullness of grace.

Eucharistic Prayer IV,  International Committee on English
in the Liturgy, 1973.