Early in the in the ministry of the Lord Jesus, his disciples came to him, and said, teach us how to pray. The Lord had spoke to them about praying, and John the Baptist taught his disciples how to pray so it wasn’t an odd thing for the disciples to request instruction in this area. Jesus said when you pray, pray in this manner, it was a perfect outline for our prayers. He didn’t teach them what exact words to say, nor tell them to always repeat the same words. But he says when you pray, pray like this, in this manner.
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
The word for pray in this text primarily means pray to God to supplicate but it can also mean worship. I believe that it is appropriate to follow the pattern of the Lord’s prayer in our communion gatherings.
When we come together, we need to begin with recognizing our Father in heaven with a time of worship. Remember, the three important points; first of all God is our father and he loves us greatly. Secondly He’s in heaven and from his vantage point he can see all things and he understands our needs before we ask and as our loving father he will answer and guide us. Finally, and above all his name is holy. He is wise and knows all things, He deserves glory and honor and praise.
Once we’ve recognized the Lord and surrendered ourselves to him he will show his kingdom in our midst, he will speak through his people some may prophesy, some will teach, someone may bring an evangelical message and others will give simple exhortations and words of encouragement. He will do miracles in our midst and reveal himself and his Kingdom as we walk in love, preferring one another over our own selves.
It’s at this point that we ask the Lord to give us not just physical bread, but the spiritual bread of the communion table. We then will take the time to examine ourselves, and let the Lord forgive us and receive the work he’s done through the cross. We will find healing in the bread and the wine, and we will accept the forgiveness of God, and above all we will recognize that we were bought with a price that he paid. He bought us with his blood, his life for ours. We can no longer live for ourselves, we belong to Jesus.
Having received such love and forgiveness now we need to examine ourselves and forgive those that have hurt us, as Jesus himself forgives us.
After forgiveness has prevailed, we will look to the Lord to continually guide us, and not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. In our communion gathering this represents ministry time. Time of repentance, a time of deliverance, healing and empowerment.
After Jesus had communion with his disciples it says that they sang a hymn and went hence. After we have walked through these things together and remembered the Lord how can we not give him glory and honor and power now and forever. Leaving this wonderful time together, let’s worship in spirit and truth and face whatever is set before us.
In following this pattern, there is no reason that any one of us could not facilitate a communion gathering. It may not be how things flow every time just like we don’t always follow the exact words in the Lords prayer but it always stands as an outline to help us. It will guide us to flow together into the goodness of the Lord.
Below is a simple 6 point to point explanation to help if you need it.
1 Our Father, which art in heaven hallowed be thy name –
start by worshiping our Father in heaven.
2 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. –
Allow God to speak through all that are present, and do the Works and miracles of the kingdom
3 Give us this day, our daily bread –
Receive communion together, and except the mercies of God.
4 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that have sinned against us –
Take time to think about the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness, and remember those that hurt you and forgive them.
5 Lead us not temptation, but deliver us from evil. –
This is the time for ministry, repentance, deliverance, and empowerment.
6 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever amen-
Go out with praise, and show Jesus to a lost world. Give him glory and honor and power in all things now and forever.