Preparing to take The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion

Christian believers partake in the Lord's Supper.  How do we prepare ourselves before we take Holy Communion?  Do we prepare our hearts at all, or do we just go through the motions without giving it much thought?  Has familiarity bred contempt in us?  Are we guilty of complacency through our religious ritual and traditions?  We need to ponder and consider carefully what we're doing.

"Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.  Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  A man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread and drinks the cup"  (I Corinthians 11:26-28).

Here are a few hints on how to prepare oneself before taking the Lord's Supper.  Our thanks go to Pastor Tom Corey and the members of Hope Church for these helpful insights.

How to prepare to take the Lord's Supper

Examine your faith.
Do you rest in the righteousness of Christ?  Are you certain that you have been justified by His precious blood?  Are you confident that you are a child of God?  Do you live by grace?

Review God's Commandments.
Contemplate not merely your own sin and failures but also the glory and perfection of Christ.  Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Search your heart.
Have you let your first love slip?  Has your diligence in seeking His face waned?

Open your heart.
Is your heart open toward your fellow believers?  Have you offended anyone and not asked forgiveness?  Has someone offended you but you haven't spoken with them and settled the matter?

Having truthfully and honestly considered these things then ...

1)    Set aside time this week to make any amends necessary with the Lord;
2)    Restore your self-discipline and refresh your expressions of love to Him;
3)    Seek reconciliation between yourself and your brothers and sisters within the
       church; and finally,
4)    Come full of thanksgiving and expectation as you meet together at the table of
       Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.