Prayer For Washing Of The Feet
Love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us:
this is my new commandment.
Christ, grant me grace to let you wash my feet,
and washed, to let them stand or walk or run;
as over mountain, desert, city street,
they bring good news - unlikely victory won.
Christ, grant me grace to wash another's feet,
and count it cause of neither shame nor boast
nor think some merit makes my work complete
since those forgiven most will love the most.
Christ, grant me grace to follow and believe
in you who loved me to the bitter end;
learn to receive you, as I shall receive
those you have sent, and those you will yet send.
Christ, grant me grace to live, obey and love,
sent to your world, commanded by your word:
content if you direct my every move,
your name be known, your kingly voice be heard.
My Lord you wore no royal crown
You did not wield the powers of state
Nor did You need a scholar's gown
Or priestly robe to make You great
You never used a killer's sword
To end an unjust tyranny
Your only weapon was Your word
For truth alone could set us free
You did not live a world away
In hermit's cell or desert cave
But felt our pain and shared each day
With those You came to seek and save
You made no mean or cunning move
Chose no unworthy compromise
But carved a track of burning love
Through tangles of deceit and lies
You came unequalled undeserved
To be what I was meant to be
You came to serve not to be served
A light for all the world to see
So when I stumble set me right
Command my life as You require
Let all Your gifts be my delight
And You my Lord my one desire
This night is our calling to go into the world,
scattered to the ends of the earth
to love as Christ loved
and serve in the name of Christ.
It is our calling to remember,
even in our darkest hour,
who we are.
We remember that Christ is always with us.
And we remember that on this night,
we were taught how to love.
On this night, eternity begins
and the fullness of God's Reign begins to spill into our lives.
So go into the world to give yourself for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Go into the world and love
in the name of the One who loved you until the end.
It all begins and ends and begins again with Love.
That IS the story.
Amen.
We are Jesus' disciples,
following him even as he moves toward the cross.
Even as he wraps a towel around his waist.
Even as he kneels to wash the filth from the feet of his friends.
We are Jesus' disciples,
longing to be faithful even as the night grows dark.
Even as betrayers loom.
Even as the powers that oppose the way of Christ press in around us.
We are Jesus' disciples,
struggling to love others even as Jesus loved us.
We are Jesus' disciples,
gathered here to worship God:
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
Amen.
Though you are God,
with all the influence and status that the name implies,
you refused to pull rank,
and parade your power among us.
Instead, you chose to step down into our experience,
living among us, as one of us,
with all the struggle and suffering
that goes with being human.
More than that, you adopted the role of slave,
washing feet, serving people of no reputation or social standing,
and giving of yourself completely.
As incredible as it sounds,
you are the God who serves,
and we can respond in no other way
than to give ourselves to you in praise.
Amen.
O Jesus, my feet are dirty.
Come even as a slave to me,
pour water into your bowl,
come and wash my feet.
In asking such a thing I know I am overbold
but I dread what was threatened when you said to me,
If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.
Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
And yet, what am I asking?
It was well for Peter to ask you to wash his feet,
for him that was all that was needed for him to be clean in every part.
With me it is different:
though you wash me now I shall still stand in need of that other washing,
the cleansing you promised when you said,
there is a baptism I must needs be baptized with.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit
instructed the hearts of the faithful.
Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and
ever rejoice in His consolation.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.