BREAKING OF BREAD AND THE PRAYERS DEVOTIONAL 2
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If someone asked you to share a Bible verse that describes the Christian way of life, and the Anglican way of life in particular, what would you tell them? For myself, I’d point them to Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This text forms the basis of the question from the Baptismal Covenant we’re looking at this week.
So let’s unpack it! First, in our promise to continue in the apostles’ teaching, we are making a promise about what we believe. We promise to follow the teaching of the apostles, which we find contained in the Bible, the Word of God. As Anglicans, we read the Bible alongside the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, reading the Bible with the whole community of Christians who have found God there. Might God be calling you to deeper engagement with Scripture in this season, inside and outside of worship?
We are asked to continue not just in the apostles’ teaching but also in the apostles’ fellowship: that is, the church, the Body of Christ. In answering “yes” when asked this question, we promise to gather together for worship, service, and community with other redeemed sinners, trusting that the Spirit will use each of us to smooth each other’s edges like rocks in a tumbler. Where might God be challenging you to participate more fully in the apostles’ fellowship?
Together, in the church, we redeemed sinners come together to break bread. Since the time of the apostles, Christians have ritually eaten bread and drunk wine in thanksgiving, as a participation in Christ’s Body and Blood, and in memory of his saving death. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are continuing in that breaking of bread. This Lent, prayerfully consider taking some time the night before receiving Communion to repent of your sins, commit to amend your life, and thank God for all his gifts. You might find it enriches your appreciation and understanding of the gift of Jesus given to you in the bread and wine.
And, finally, we come together in the church to offer prayers: not just individually, but in common. This, perhaps, is where Anglican distinctiveness comes in. If there is any Anglican charism, I’m convinced it is in returning the daily prayer of the church to all people, rather than making it the preserve of clergy or monastics. Whether together in the church or alone in a prayer corner, you too can open up your Book of Common Prayer, or download the Venite app, and live into this promise.
Dear friends in Christ, as you walk through Lent, how can you more deeply engage with these basics of Christian practice? I’ve tried to offer a few suggestions; feel free to add your own. And how can you invite others into that pattern of life — and above all into the incredible reality to which this pattern points, life with our lord and savior Jesus Christ?
