The Eucharistic Prayer begins as we approach God in “humble prayer” admitting, in a heartfelt way, that every petition we offer is a petition of hope, and not of entitlement. We hope and acknowledge that it is by God’s generosity, if He so chooses to look favorably upon us and accept our offerings. By presenting the bread and wine as “holy and unblemished”, we call to mind the sacrifices of the Old Covenant, which called for a spotless lamb, while also recalling that Christ is the spotless lamb and it is he who is being offered today.