Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition
Preparation for Holy Communion
Recently I purchased a workbook (Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition) by Dr. Steve Harper, the Dean of Asbury Theological Seminary, the Orlando, Florida campus. Steve is an Ordained minister in the United Methodist Church and the author of various books on the Christian spiritual life.
In preparation for communion on the first Sunday in April I read these two questions that Steve asked and then I pondered on them. Here are the two questions for your personal reflection:
1. What are your preparations for communion?
2. Do you have any devotional material that helps you prepare for communion?
The benefit of Dr. Harpers workbook is that it shares the preparation that John Wesley used and asks us to compare our preparation to his. For you to do this you would need to buy the book and it is available through the Upper Room. (http://www.upperroom.org)
Without the workbook we can still determine what kind of preparation should be made. Here are some thoughts:
1. Repent of on going sin in my life.
2. Forgive those who have sinned against me.
3. Seek God’s grace through personal prayer.
4. Read Matthew 26:20-30 where Jesus instituted Holy Communion.
5. Come to the sanctuary early on communion Sunday to spend some quiet time in reflection of God’s gift in Jesus Christ.
Don’t you wonder what would happen if every single person in attendance on a communion Sunday came prepared in this manner. Wow! What a Sunday that would be.
