18-February-26

Paul warns us that we should always examine ourselves before taking communion.  Lent is also a time of self-examination and repentance so it's very appropriate, in the quiet time before the prayer, to look at our lives and see if there's anything we need to lay down before we come together at the Table.  So let's pray in silent reflection for a while and ask God to bring to our minds the things we need to make right.
Let us pray.

Prayer:

God, whose forgiveness knows no bounds, we thank you that, as imperfect as we are, you have called us as daughters and sons to this Table.  Create in us clean hearts and upright spirits.
We thank you for your Son, who came to teach us the way to walk with you.  We thank you for these symbols of bread and cup that remind us of all he gave to open that way.  We thank you for the love and forgiveness you've given us.  Fill us with your Spirit that we may take that love out to our world.
In the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN