Pastoral Prayer (Maundy Thursday) Athens First UMC

[Jesu, Jesu was our middle prayer hymn following the Maundy Thursday sermon. This hymn refers to that night when Jesus gathered in the Upper Room with his disciples, “Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washes their feet, Master who acts as a slave to them.” Serving others is the 7th fear in our Lent sermon series, “My Fears Relieved.” We will focus on the eighth and final fear of this series on Easter Sunday. Join us as we reflect on how God’s amazing grace can help our fears be relieved as we face the fear of life after death.]

Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you. 

Fill us with your love, show us how to serve at the food pantry, at a habitat for humanity building site, at Monday Lunch, at the school, at the nursing home, at the prison, at the homeless shelter, at the church.

Fill us with your love and show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.

On this holy night in which you washed the disciples’ feet, you gave us a glimpse of God’s overflowing love for the world. Likewise, when you are placed on a cross, we will see how even death itself cannot overcome God’s redeeming and costly love for the world. There is nothing greater than your love for the world; not fear, not foe, not frustration, not fate, not even a fire that rages out of control. Your love is bigger than anything in its way.

Thank you for showing us who God is. Thank you for showing us what it means to serve you in simple and humble ways.

Jesu, Jesu, on this holy night, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you, and teach us to humbly pray together without fear,

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”