A Prayer For Maundy Thursday

A Prayer for Maundy Thursday

The Thursday before Easter

O Lord Jesus, who showed us love

In life and death,

Thank You for welcoming us

To Your table.

As we think about the Last Supper

You had with those dear and beloved

To You,

We are reminded of love

And life

Poured out.

We think of the final meals

We ourselves have had with loved ones

And wonder what it would be like

To say goodbye to our children,

To know our time on earth was ending,

To bring our babies close

And stroke their hair

And lift their cheeks

And say, “All of this

Was for you.”

We wonder what it would be like

To say,

“Little ones, I have loved you

And I have taught you.

Remember the birthday parties

And first days of school?

Remember the holiday meals

And the walks outside?

Remember when we were together?

I will be with you

As you do all of these things again.”

O Jesus, You promised Your disciples this—

That though Your physical body

Would soon be gone

And even betrayed

For pieces of silver,

You would leave Your presence with them

And indeed with us, Your church,

In the breaking of bread,

In the sharing of wine,

Present each time.

We serve one another in love.

O Lamb of God,

We remember You.

Help us remember

What You’ve called our family to:

Humility,

Service,

Sacrifice.

We are thankful.

Help us give thanks in all circumstances.

We pray that our family—

Our children and ourselves—

Would be rooted and established

In Your great love.

Help us humble ourselves in Your name.

You, Lord Jesus,

Who welcomed all to the table

And washed the dirty feet,

Sit with us in the tension of this day.

Be with us like You were in the upper room—

In the love

And in the fear

And even in the impending grief.

We know a light is coming,

But for now we sit in the darkness

And ask You to sit with us.

For we are broken

And also beloved.7

Mark 14:22-24; John 13:1-17