O God, we are wondering if there is a place at the table for us tonight. Is there room for me? Will there be enough room for us? Did we first need to make reservations? Or have you figured all that out and there will be more than enough room for sinners like us to come to the gospel feast? Thank you for inviting us and for providing a space for each one of us here in the Upper Room right next to your disciples.
We come to you as fellow beggars who have at least one important thing in common; we are all in need of your grace. And so, we come in humility. Nothing in our hands we bring, simply to thy cross we cling.
Thank you for your cross that reminds us of the depth of your love for us when Jesus died for our sins. Thank you for this holy meal in which you are present with us as we receive the bread and the cup. And thank you for the future hope we have that one day, we will feast at the heavenly banquet with you and all of your people, that time in the future when there will be no more suffering, sadness, mourning, sin, and death. We long for that time when you will make all things new in heaven and earth.
And until that time, we continue to lift up to you the pain, brokenness, and needs of those who are on our hearts and minds. We lift up to you those who are facing illnesses and in need of healing, and in particular all of the people who are on our church’s prayer list. Just as you are present with us tonight as we prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, be present with all who are in need of your care and love, especially in places in our community and world where there is so much pain and suffering.
Tonight, we join people in our community and all around the world who like us, are receiving the bread and the cup, a very holy and unique meal in which we are invited to receive your wondrous love anew. We pray this in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray together…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
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