A Prayer about Receiving Jesus’ Cleansing
A Prayer about Receiving Jesus’ Cleansing
“You will never (to eternity) wash my feet.” John 13:8
Jesus, our Faithful Servant,
If we’re honest, we feel the way Peter did:
you are too good,
and we are too unworthy for you
to wash our feet.
According to Greek scholars*,
Peter’s response to the idea of Jesus washing his feet is,
“You will never to eternity wash my feet.”
In our language, we might say,
“No way. You will never ever ever wash our feet.”
Lord, help us in our false humility.
Help us in our pride.
Help us in our confusion —
how can you,
God incarnate,
serve us in the lowliest way possible?
We really need to get this through our skulls
that are as thick as Peter’s.
Peter would one day be the “rock”
on which you would build your church (see Matthew 16:18).
In this authoritative position,
he would need your power to submit
to take the lowest places
to serve others.
The only way he, and we,
become empowered to do this
is to recognize that we are poor and needy,
but you, the Lord our King, are thinking of us right now (See Psalm 40:17).
Help us today, Lord.
Help us to submit
our minds,
bodies,
and spirit to you.
Cleanse us from our sin,
and make us ready to serve others
as your disciples.
In your humble name we pray.
Amen.
Read John 13:1-11.
*ESV Study Bible note.
Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage
author, life and legacy coach, speaker
Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage is the author of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven.
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