How to Enjoy Spiritual Communion Every Day

Regardless of your Christian denomination, it's a special treat for your soul and spirit when you spend time with Jesus in spiritual communion, partaking of his body and blood in a very deep and personal way.

When taking communion in any Christian tradition, it's easy to hear the same words spoken time and time again, and go through the same motions of taking the host and wine, or bread and grape juice, time and time again, with little attention to the deep significance of what's occurring.

When participating in a spiritual communion with Jesus, it brings a whole new dimension and deeper understanding of the Gospel story. It's an opportunity to unite your soul to God at any time, for as many times as you wish throughout your day.

In-person reception of communion, regardless of denomination, is a sacred time, not just "part" of a church service. But a spiritual communion offers a deeper interior opportunity to willingly show your love for Jesus.

Consider this scripture: "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:3-4)

It can be a simple declaration of your love for the crucified Christ, or a more elaborate experience as suggested below.

To begin, do as Ignatius Loyola suggests in his Spiritual Exercises, and spend time picturing yourself at the Last Supper.

Answer the invitation. Take off your mental and emotional shoes, and sit at the table Jesus has prepared. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Appreciate the importance of what you are about to do. Take a stance of reverence, focusing on the experience you are about to have. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Consider what you are doing a priceless form of worship, since Jesus already paid the price. "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Remember what you are doing is necessary because the Lord asked you to come nearer and be with him. “But if anyone who is clean and is not on a journey fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the Lord’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.” (Numbers 9:13)

Confess your sins and accept the cleansing Jesus provides. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Repent and commit before the Lord that you will turn from your sinful ways, no matter how seemingly insignificant. "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27)

Bow every part of your being in prayer, surrendering yourself to Jesus.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42)

Believe others are experiencing communion with Jesus and savor the spiritual fellowship. "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Participate in the Lord's Last Supper as you say: "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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

(1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

Rejoice in the the fact you are proclaiming Jesus will come again to be with you. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Extend your hand and heart in thanksgiving for the opportunity to receive spiritual communion with the Lord. "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts." (Acts 2:46)

Be energized as you move onto the rest of your day knowing you have been with Jesus, and are ready to spread the Good News. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)