Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we prepare to celebrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus, let us use His poignant words to pray over the Greenhouse community this month.
Consider the iconic image of Christ washing Peter’s feet (below). In John’s gospel this scene transpires in John 13 at the Last Supper. Ponder what it would be like to have Jesus kneeling on the floor before you with His hands holding and washing your bare feet.
Ford Maddox Brown Jesus Washing Peter's Feet
Now as we pray these words from John 15, let the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice add gravitas to His admonition for His disciples, for us, and for the Greenhouse community to “Love each other.” We have broken up the passage and highlighted some phrases for deliberate reflection as you pray. After you read what Jesus says, let the Holy Spirit guide you to reframe those words into a prayer for yourself, your family, and the Greenhouse community. Consider speaking Jesus’ words and your prayers out loud. Note how the Holy Spirit may prompt you to act as you pray these prayers. Take note of what Jesus says about action and love throughout this passage.
John 15:9-17
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”
‘When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
“This is my command: Love each other.”
May you remain in the Father’s love and may your joy overflow during the culmination of Lent and into Eastertide.