If you’d like to join us from home or use these practices later, here are the prayer stations from our Maundy Thursday service this year. Please feel free to use any of these stations that interest you, and to skip the ones that don’t! The goal in having options is so that you can try something new and engage with the story in a new way.
Light a Candle
I invite you to begin by lighting a candle. The steady light of a candle reminds me of Christ’s steady presence-whether I feel it or not, whether I’m paying attention or not, Jesus is with me.
Take a moment to pray for the people and situations that are on your heart tonight. May the candle’s flame remind you that Christ is with them in the same steady way that Christ is with you, tonight and always.
Poetry
Read these poems. If something strikes you (interests you, disturbs you, seems weird), pause and read it again. What about it is so striking? What is God saying to you through those words or lines?
“Blessing You Cannot Turn Back” by Jan Richardson (read here)
“A Reflection on John 13” by Carol Ferguson (read here)
Lectio divina
Lectio divina is the practice of slowly reading Scripture to listen for God’s presence as you read.
Choose one of the Scripture readings for today. (Find the list of readings here)
Read the passage you’ve chosen one time, considering the question: What is happening in the passage? Sit in silence once you’ve finished reading. Continue to reflect on the question.
Read the passage a second time, considering the question: Where is God in the passage? If a word of phrase catches your attention, pay special attention to it. Is God saying something specific to you with that word or phrase? Sit in silence once you’ve finished reading. Continue to reflect on the question.
Read the passage a third time, considering the question: What does this mean for you? Is God asking you to do something? Again, if a word of phrase catches your attention, pay special attention to it. Is God saying something specific to you with that word or phrase? Sit in silence once you’ve finished reading. Continue to reflect on the question.
Visio divina
Visio divina is the practice of reflecting on art as a form of prayer.
There are many images included; take time to sit with each image. Look until you think you’ve seen everything, and then look a bit longer. Notice what strikes you. What is God saying in what you notice? How do these images change or deepen or strengthen your understanding of the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet?
The images: click here.
(All these images are by Salt & Gold Collection. Check out her Instagram to hear more about each image and see her other work.)
Water & a reflection on the footwashing
If you have a chalkboard or white board at home, I invite you to take a moment to write on it what you’d like to confess and give to God tonight. Are you holding to something too tightly? Do you need to ask someone for their forgiveness? (It would certainly be appropriate to take the time to do that now.) Are you struggling with a habit or pattern of behavior? Write it down.
When you’ve finished, get some water. Remember Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Read the story again if you like in John 13:1-20. Touch the water; get wet! And then wipe away what you’ve written. Remember that just as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Jesus washes us through the waters of baptism. You are forgiven!
Free form!
Take a blank piece of paper. Write out your prayers. Scribble some thoughts about our Scripture. Doodle. Just see what happens and what comes to you!
……………..
Amen.
Thank you for joining us in prayer.