THE ORDER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, OR HOLY COMMUNION. ¶ So many as intend to be partakers of the holy Communion shall signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the day before. The Table, at the Communion-time having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the Body of the Church, or in the Chancel, where Morning and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said. The priest then leaves the centre of the altar and goes to one side, to remind us of our Saviour's leaving His disciples and going apart to pray; he then says the Lord's Prayer and the prayer for good thoughts, thoughts cleansed from all evil and free from worldly desires. These remind us of our Saviour's prayer in the garden, a pattern to us of heartfelt prayer and Christian submission to God's will. Be careful, that you are not inattentive, as were those disciples who slept while Jesus was in pain of mind for their welfare. Their carelessness caused them to fall into temptation, and they ran away when they should have remained with their Master, who was about to give Himself up as a sacrifice for them. Pray to Jesus that He will receive the prayers and offerings of yourself, your friends, and most especially of the priest now performing this most solemn service; follow each sentence of our Lord's Prayer in your mind. It is being said for you and for all present. God in Heaven is really and truly your Father; He took you for His child when you were baptized. "HALLOWED BE THY NAME," When you say? you pray that neither you nor others may profane God's name by using it irreverently, and that those who claim to be Christians may not behave so ill that the enemies of God can point at them and scoff. And the Priest standing at the Northside of the Table shall say the Lord's Prayer, with the Collect following, the people kneeling. Ο UR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy When you say, "THY KINGDOM COME," you pray that God may rule your heart, and the hearts of all persons. and In praying, "THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN," you pray that you they may always be obedient chidren. In the words, "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD," you ask for food for both soul and body, and a heart contented with your lot. In saying, "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES," you pray God to forgive all the evil things you have done or thought. Before saying the next sentence, “As we FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US," you must be careful that you wish well even to those who have hurt you or who have been unkind to you. You must not feel that you would like to serve them as they have served you, and you must not make them angry, but should prevent, as far as possible, their having an opportunity to repeat their wrong-doing; and so, in saying the next sentence, "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL," you ask that you may be kept from bad company, from anger, from occasions of discontent and peevishness, from love of being thought by your companions very clever, and from all those things which are most often the occasion of your being guilty of evil thoughts, words, or deeds. |
