Holy Week Prayers: Maundy Thursday

 

For the occasion of Maundy Thursday, today our prayers dwell on the last supper shared by Jesus with his friends & followers: "Then Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks,” he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which isgiven for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And he did the samewith the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for youis the new covenant in my blood." (Luke 22:19-20, NRSV)

Today, write a grace -- a thanksgiving prayer over a meal -- for the Communion meal. I'll be posting my prayer shortly at Faith and Water.

Bless us, Oh Lord,
and this bounty you have provided
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the employers who give more than a paycheck
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the teachers who bring a love of learning
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the cafeteria workers who provide a lunch
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the day care who provides more than a watchful eye
Bless us, Oh Lord,
as we feast upon hamburgers and french fries instead of bread and wine
Bless us today, Oh Lord,
and each day you give to us.

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Side notes about Maundy Thursday. This is one of my favorite minor holy days. I don't know if it is truly minor or not, but I love the party feel that this service typically has. Even though we know what is about to happen in the next 3 days, this feast was a celebration. It was the Passover! I'm sure the meal took a turn for the disciples when Christ switched the tone on them, but I do believe Christ enjoyed the party as much as the others did. I never really knew what "Maundy" meant until recently. Wikipedia explains it like this:

the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34 by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.

I really like that this is a New Commandment to us and a reminder of what Christ said was the greatest commandment to love each other.

Holy Week Prayers: Day 37

Today I invite you to pray with Jesus in the garden:

"They went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said
to his disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' He took with him
Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed
and agitated. And he said to them, 'I am deeply grieved,
even to death; remain here & keep awake.'" (Mark 14:32-34)

We are greatly familiar with our own griefs and stresses; what might Jesus' grief and distress have been that night? Can you pray with Jesus through his agony?

 

I find it so hard to pray in the midst of trouble, when I'm knee deep in it. My soul prays, but my brain can't. And I don't know what's coming next. You did. You knew what to expect. You knew how long it would last. You knew exactly what your body would have to endure. You knew exactly how taxing it would be. Yet you went. You cried out to your Father, but you still went. I would have been as dumbfounded as your closest companions, wanting you to fight against it, wanting you to run away. But you knew better. And were still scared. Was there comfort in your friends? Was there comfort in your foreknowledge? Would I been able to provide anything other than my presence? Would that have been enough?

Holy Week Prayers: Day 36

Often at the end, we find ourselves remembering the beginning. "Look: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us." (Matthew 1:23, NRSV)In this Holy Week as we near the end of Jesus' earthly life, pay attention to incarnations of God-with-us. Look around you today. How are you witnessing Christ present with others? Write a prayer for someone you encounter today.

Jesus, you are present with me. I can see your work, your reminders. I want to be like you. I want to lead as you lead. I want to love as you love. Let me show you to others today; let my words be gentle and thoughtful. I have heard your prompting this week. I will follow.

Holy Week Prayers: Day 35

I am reminded of how many turns & surprises the disciples experienced as they walked with and listened to Jesus during the final days before his crucifixion. Even small talk about architecture took an unexpected turn: "When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, 'As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.'" (Luke 21:5-6, NRSV)

Why am I amazed when you provide in a way I didn't expect?
Why am I surprised when you answer a prayer?
Why am I so slow to see your hand at work?
You continue to amaze me
You do not leave a single stone unturned, with all the messiness beneath
Yet that messiness is necessary to get me where you need me.

I have prayed for you to put me where you need me.
And then I am upset when you do so

Let this change be pleasing to you
Let this be the step
Let me blossom into the person you need me to be
Let this be an amazing unexpected turn

Holy Week Prayers: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Prompt:
In Luke's telling of the triumphant entrance and palm parade in Jerusalem, the disciples shout, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!" When the Pharisees insist to Jesus that the disciples keep quiet, he replies, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out." (Luke 19:38-40)

A question for your reflection, creativity and prayer: what would the stones shout?

Why are you silent?

Why do you not cry out?

Do you not see who is here?

Our Lord, Jesus, has arrived!

He is here to change the world!

Do not keep silent!

Cry Out!

Shout!

Hallellujah!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

40 Prayers of Lent: Day 30

Before I get into my prayer writing, I can't believe we are already on day 30 of Lent. Palm Sunday is 5 short days away. And then Easter. Easter will be different this year as we will not be home. This will be the first year we are not at FUMC for Easter since we joined the church. This will be my first secular Easter in a very long time. I love Easter Sunday services. I love the old hymns, "Up from the Grave, "Christ the Lord has Risen Today" and of course the "Hallalujah Chorus." I'd love to sing more from "The Messiah" at Easter, but it seems to have a firm place at Christmas time. I think I will really miss service this year as it feels like a true new beginning. Maybe we can find a sunrise service to sneak off to.

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Today's prompt: What metaphor would you use to describe how you connect to God? As a headphones plugged into the heart of music? As a branch connected to the life of a vine?

In the stillness
In the quiet
You speak directly to me
But I keep moving
Keep going
And forget to stop and wait
I need to find the place
Where you are waiting for me
In the stillness
In the quiet
Bring me to that secret place
Where we can meet
Reconnect
And I can feel your peace
In the stillness
In the quiet