There is a war in my flesh.
I don’t always see it,
But it has always raged on.
At the heart of my belligerence
Is my own rebellious heart
Which seeks only to take
And seize out of fear,
Instead of receiving what it needs –
Peace through surrender;
Peace through love.
The part of my heart which
Has been made alive in Christ –
Through his own obedient heart
Pierced on the cross, and
Renewed in his resurrection –
Is learning to love through
Obedience to the Spirit of God,
Learning to receive mercy,
Learning there is grace upon grace.
For it knows that to be alive
Is to go through the death of Jesus,
And to win the war is to crucify
My flesh with him, to no longer
Live as though dying, but instead
Live a life undying, that gives life
To the world and to others.
So I come to your table Lord Jesus,
To receive in my hands
The weapons of war
That will put to death the flesh
That embraces sin and therefore dies,
And to receive for my body and soul
Your life through our communion.
Almighty God, my Lord, my saviour,
Command me once again to obedience
As you speak your words of life for me:
“This is my body, broken for you.”
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
“Do this in remembrance of me.”