You’ll hear the admonition to prepare for the Lord’s Supper or Communion in weeks prior to the sacrament but what does that mean? And how does one prepare?

Let’s first turn to the Larger Catechism since we are a confessional church that holds to the Westminster Confession Of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.

Q. 170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord’s Supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?

A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord’s supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.

Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s Supper?

A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s supper, that he may be further strengthened.

Suggestions for preparing for the Lord’s Supper.

1. Read the words above individually and collectively as a family. Even if the children are not communicant members, this could be a great opportunity to explain why one should not participate until they have made a confession of faith. Note: You may not be able to understand or explain everything that is written above, but just taking the time to read it and asking God to help you and your family prepare will make a big difference.
2. God is not asking you to doubt your salvation, in fact the last question indicates that taking the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is a step to putting doubts aside as you feed spiritually upon the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy His presence. God does recommend we take a serious look at our lives in the light of scripture and confess and repent of the things we have done wrong. To avoid the sin factor in our lives is to mistreat the Lord’s Supper and incur God’s displeasure. All of this can be avoided by simply preparing.
3. Thinking about the Lord Jesus Christ and talking about His work on the cross before you come.

The Lord Jesus Christ has given us this sacrament to remember Him, to enjoy Him, and to leave encouraged and spiritually nourished. Let’s prepare to meet with Him.

Godspeed,

Pastor Bob