Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Last Supper = First Meal

We have decided to celebrate the Lord's Supper once a month in our worship service. I've been to churches that celebrate it every week, and to churches that celebrate it quarterly. There are pluses and minuses to every option, and I don't hold that there is one "right" schedule. As long as the practice is frequently before us without becoming empty habit, I think you've got a good thing going.

There is one habit that I'd like to recommend you try on occasion. I heard it from some friends, and on certain occasions have done the same. The idea is simple - practice a fast leading up to the Lord's Supper. Some choose to simply skip breakfast so that the Lord's Supper is their first "meal" of that day. Other choose to fast for 24 hours leading up to the Lord's Supper (do this only if you know you're in the right health for that).

Two of the benefits from this fast is that it helps you focus in prayer, and it makes the Lord's Supper a little more special, being the food that finishes your fast. Fasting often aids us in being more focused in prayer, for whatever reasons. Some of my best, extended times of prayer have come while fasting. It's no magic formula for awesome prayer - I've had times of fasting with absolutely nothing special going on in prayer. It's just an aid.

But there's also that sense of letting the Lord's Supper be the thing that breaks the fast. You don't have eggs and bacon on your breath, already pretty full from other food. You're hungry, but you're seeking satisfaction more from Christ (and the symbol of Christ) than from food. There's not the lingering memory of breakfast to make the Lord's Supper seem like common food. The symbolic significance of the Lord's Supper can be heightened if we set it apart from other food.

If your health allows, consider a short or medium fast before this Sunday's celebration. If it doesn't help, feel no need to try it again. If it does help, great - even if it is of benefit only one time.

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