Communion Prayer

One of the greatest blessings about my membership at Madison is the opportunity, responsibility, and privilege to serve communion alongside my husband. Our church offers communion once a month and we have 6 stations where people can approach for the elements. Accepting communion practices in the Reformed tradition has been a challenge for my Lutheran Raised Self to deal with ever since Freshmen year of college at Hope.

I'm here to tell you, 11 years later, I love both traditions. And I truly think they both get some things right and some things a little less right.

But that's neither here nor there.

Yesterday was Communion Sunday.
Yesterday, I got to look into the eyes of about 100 brothers and sisters and tell them Christ's body was broken for them. For the forgiveness of their sins. Then I got to offer them a plate and see them accept it. Accept Him. Accept forgiveness.

Lots of people come with eyes sparkling with tears. Sometimes I join them. Other people get uncomfortable with the 1:1 eye contact. I don't (anymore).

When people approach so clearly broken and hurting, I pray that by participating in communion, some of their hurt is lessened. Often, the faces of those who are really hurting stay with me during the week and I continue to pray for their nameless hurts.

Today, I'm praying for a woman who's hungry.
And I'm not talking about being hungry in the spiritual sense.
This woman's stomach was empty. I can only guess her cupboards were, too.
I looked for her after the service, eager to invite her to join us for breakfast.
I didn't find her.
I know that the four cubes of bread she asked for at communion did not satisfy her physical needs.
Today, I just cannot shake her face from my mind.
Feed her, Lord.