---
title: "Question 171: How are they that receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 171: How are they that receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? They that receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining th"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-171-how-are-they-that-receive-the-sacrament-of-the/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=151"
---

# Question 171: How are they that receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? | Westminster Larger Catechism

They that receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ; of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance, love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 5:7; Ex. 12:15; 1 Cor. 11:29; 2 Cor. 13:5; Matt. 26:28; Zech. 12:10; 1 Cor. 11:31; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; Acts 2:46-47; 1 Cor. 5:8; 1 Cor. 11:18, 20; Matt. 5:23-24; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 1 Cor. 11:25-26, 28; Heb. 10:21-22, 24; Ps. 26:6; 1 Cor. 11:24-25; 2 Chron. 30:18-19; Matt. 26:26.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=151)

## Related reading

- [A Sample Worship Service](https://ctkrp.org/worship/order-of-worship/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord’s Supper](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-29-lords-supper/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 96: What is the Lord’s Supper?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-96-what-is-the-lords-supper/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 168: What is the Lord’s Supper?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-168-what-is-the-lords-supper/)
- [Question 170](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-170-how-do-they-that-worthily-communicate-in-the-lords/)
- [Question 172](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-172-may-one-who-doubteth-of-his-being-in-christ/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-171-how-are-they-that-receive-the-sacrament-of-the/