Spiritual Tools to Dig Deeper
Guidance for your time of prayer
Use the guide below to walk you through a time of prayer, Scripture reading, reflection, and worship.
Begin your time of prayer by reading these words:
To look at the Crucifix and then to look at our own hearts; to test by the cross the quality of our love – if we do that honestly and unflinchingly we don’t need any other self examination. The lash, the crown of thorns, the mockery, the stripping, the nails – life has equivalents of all these for us and God asks a love for himself and his children which can accept and survive all that in the particular way in which it is offered to us. It is no use to talk in a large vague way about the love of God; here is its point of intersection in the world. – Evelyn Underhill
Offer a prayer to God in your own words.
Daily Scripture Reading
Key Gospel Verses: John 13:12b-15
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you."
Gospel: John 13:1-38
Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm: 70
New Testament: Hebrews 12:1-3
Listen and Reflect
Where is God calling you to love one another as Christ has loved you? Take time to listen.
What parts of loving others come easily to you? What parts of loving others are difficult?
Ask God to put a friend, a neighbor, an acquaintance, a ministry, or a group on your heart today… where are you being called to lean in more fully (and perhaps more uncomfortably) and love as Christ has loved you?
Write down one way you want to take the next step of obedience to live out your faith by loving your neighbors more fully.
Prayers for the World,
the Church, Others, & Myself
Spend some time now in prayer. Ask God to open your heart and your eyes to the need around you. Thank God for the story of the foot washing and spend some time reflecting on the depth of your Savior’s love for you.
Song
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, arr. Gilbert Wilson
When I survey the wondrous cross,
Oh which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain, I count but loss
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forgive it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
O'er thorns compose so rich a crown!
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a present far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
Amen!
Closing Prayer
Lord Christ, our Servant and Savior, on earth you washed the feet of your disciples, and now through your cross and resurrection you always live to intercede for us: give us grace to be your faithful disciples and servants to our lives’ end. For your name’s sake we pray, Amen.
Join us for Holy Week Worship
Wednesday, April 8, 7:30 p.m (piano prelude beginning at 7 p.m.)
Join us for Holy Week Worship this Wednesday by clicking this Vimeo LINK. The service will also be livestreamed on Facebook and you can access it HERE. We will pray and sing our way through Jesus' final days during this time of reflection and remembrance together.
Relevant Links: Wednesday Spiritual Tools Download, https://gpch.org/holyweek/
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