Let Us Break Bread Together

Let us break bread together on our knees;

Let us break bread together on our knees;

When I fall on my knees

With my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink the cup together on our knees;

Let us drink the cup together on our knees;

When I fall on my knees

With my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees;

Let us praise God together on our knees;

When I fall on my knees

With my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL

SOME SAY THAT this spiritual was the password used to call slaves to secret, forbidden worship meetings in Virginia. Whether secret or not, the song calls Christians to gather and celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

The posture is significant. Some churches have participants kneel to take the elements of Communion, others have them sit or stand. Whatever posture the body takes, the attitude of the heart is worship. We come in reverence before our Lord.

“The rising sun” could refer to an ancient custom of worshiping toward the east. Most cathedrals are built with the nave facing east. The rising sun has often been a symbol for God. It brings new life and light, a source of energy and hope. Malachi prophesied that the “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2), which many take as a reference to the coming Christ.

Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.”

John 6:53-54