By Ron Higey

“Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:25). What these words, used regarding communion, actually mean continually challenges me. In talking with many people, these words are generally understood to mean that we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, Jesus’ work on the cross cannot be separated from the totality of His life. Remembrance of Him, I believe, should be an encompassing journey on the entire life and ministry of Jesus.

By Dave Butts

Bread and wine. The Body and Blood of Christ. The Lord’s Supper. Eucharist. Communion. For more than 2,000 years now, believers in Jesus have participated in a feast of remembrance. Paul wrote about the purpose of this event in his first letter to the Corinthians: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

If you want prayer to become more meaningful in communion, here are a few ways to encourage more prayer. Remember that variety of prayer is important. If every opportunity for prayer is always the same, it can get stale and less effective. Use wisdom in which elements should be ongoing and which ones should be from time to time.

When we do something exactly the same month after month or week after week, it can become rote and easily lose its impact. That was one of the reasons why Pastor Higey wanted to give communion more time and impact in his church. Here are a few ideas on changing the way you serve elements to help keep it meaningful.