Sunday 13 November 2016

Prayer at the Lord's Supper for the Holy Spirit's Work



Prayer at the Lord's Supper for the Holy Spirit's Work


I love the simplicity of this prayer for use in the Lord’s Supper.  In the biblical and Reformed understanding it is not the elements that are changed by the Holy Spirit, but they may be used by God to convey blessing to his hungry people.  This is not so much the Holy Spirit coming down to us, but his lifting us up to Christ in the Lord’s Supper. The emphasis here is on the unity in fellowship of Christ’s people, a unity that leads to service.  However, the ultimate expression of that unity awaits Christ’s return which is also an aspect of the message of the Lord’s Supper:

“Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, and bless these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup of blessing that we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.  By your Spirit make us one with Christ, that we may be bound in fellowship to all who share this feast, united in service throughout the world.  Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory, that we may feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal Kingdom.”