“Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [judgment] to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Cor. 11:27-28).
How should you prepare for the Lord’s Supper? A few thoughts for those who have come to appreciate the theology, practice, and piety of confessional Presbyterianism around the celebration Communion.
First, dedicate time ahead of time. You cannot put things off until Saturday night. Nor can you just let attendance at a midweek preparatory service ‘check the box.’ You need to begin to schedule in some meaningful time, in addition to your regular personal and family seasons of worship, to be one on one with God. Adjust your week’s schedule early, especially if you have more responsibilities surrounding the weekend, such as food preparation, etc. And husbands, be especially mindful of your wives. Help plan ahead and streamline things so that preparation doesn’t get eclipsed, helping the children step up–and even stepping up yourself!
Take advantage of the margins and double-up. If you have a little one or a grandchild, can you take them to the woods, or to a lonelier playground and supervise as you meditate and pray under your breath? Do you have a regular commute, or an upcoming journey with some free headspace? Can you resolve dedicate that extra hour to listening to suitable Bible passages from your phone, pausing to reflect, to pray, to sing a psalm of lament for sin or of the sufferings of our beloved Savior?
Consider fasting. This is a sadly neglected spiritual discipline, but one that is very much a means of great blessing if it is done with the right attitude and not as the Pharisees (Matt. 6:16-18).
If you cannot block out a longer period to do it in ‘one go,’ then space out two or three smaller times during the week. Try not to focus too much on ‘how much’ time. It should always be quality over quantity. Yet, be realistic, resolute, and disciplined. As your Savior, have a one-track mind and “be about your Father’s business.” Preparation will involve some sacrifice of time. But it is well worth it!
When you prepare, utilize good resources. There are many helpful works, especially from bygone days, that can help orient and stimulate us. Listen to a good sermon, contemporary or not, on the passion and death of Christ, on the marks of grace, or on the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper (see some recommendations below). Choose a portion of Scripture that sets forth the evidence of sincere followers of Christ, such as the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:2:12), Paul’s portrait of Christian love, (1 Cor. 13), or works of the flesh contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:15-26). And definitely meditate on the dying love of Christ as set forth prophetically (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53) or by way of fulfillment in the passion accounts of the four Gospels.
Take inventory. Ask God to shed His light. Humble yourself. Beg his mercy and aid. Try using a journal if you don’t already. Review your history, especially in more recent days. And if you begin to lose focus during your self-examination, resort to the time-worn, trusty Shorter Catechism. “Q. 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper? A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.” If you haven’t already committed this answer to memory, by all means use this preparatory season to do so. You will be glad you did. (And then after the Communion season, consider working on the rest with your children!)
Use a friend. At least to help you be accountable. That can be your spouse too. But do make sure that you come apart to some degree. The Song of Solomon sets forth the intimacy ultimately of Christ and the Church, and no less to Christ and the soul. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
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In terms of good audio resources for preparation, Charles Spurgeon is always a boon for the soul. Scroll through the audio resources here. You’ll have to identify suitable messages for preparation and the observance of the Lord’s Supper, but here and here are samples of each.
I also have a good number of recordings from our fathers in the old Church of Scotland that are either preparatory, action (observance), or thanksgiving sermons. Have a listen to James Durham, Samuel Rutherford, and John Willison, for example. Most of these recordings are quite fitting for preparation.
Also few specific suggestions from the WPE library:
William Ames, “Of Baptism and the Supper of Our Lord“
Robert Bruce, “Sermons on the Sacrament“
Jeremiah Burroughs, “The Right Manner of Sanctifying the Name of God in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper“
Thomas Chalmers, “On the Expulsive Power of a New Affection,” “The Necessity of a Mediator Between God and Men,” “On the Knowledge of Christ and Him Crucified“
Ashbel Green, “Worthily Partaking of the Lord’s Supper“
Alexander Henderson, “Through Faith He Kept the Passover“
West Port Experiment 
Thanks perfect timing for me