Three Prayers on Jesus' Washing of His Disciples' Feet
John 13 / By Esaias Heidenreich
The genre of Passion Piety (Passionsfrömmigkeit) is very dear to me. It was while writing an undergraduate thesis on the hymnic meditations of Johann Rist on Christ’s passion that I first became interested in translating Lutheran devotional literature. Christ’s cross is the greatest revelation of God and the heartbeat of Lutheran theology and its devotional literature. Perhaps some of you have read Luther’s short meditation on Christ’s passion (1519, see LW 42:3–14 or 76:425–432) or Johann Gerhard’s beautiful An Explanation of the History of the Suffering and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. There are scores of this kind of material, and it is always going to be prioritized in the weekly devotional. Right now, we’re praying through the entire passion narrative with Esaias Heidenreich. We recently finished the first set of prayers, which are on Christ’s washing of His disciples’ feet. See below.
Prayers on the Foot Washing in the Gospel of John, in the 13th Chapter
The First Prayer
Lord Jesus, by Your washing of feet, You have signified the noble fruit of Your ignominious death, namely, that through this the wells of salvation be opened so that we may be cleansed from our sins and numbered with Your elect. We thank You for such ineffable benefits and pray You to purify us with hyssop, that we be clean. Wash us, that we may be white as snow. Hide Your face from our sins, and blot out all our iniquities. Amen.
The Second Prayer
Lord Jesus, with Peter, we are ensnared in this life by great ignorance, especially concerning Your Holy Word, Your deeds, and Your will. With Peter, we also often love and rely upon our own understanding, intentions, and convictions so that we prefer these above Your command and order. We beseech You to bear with us, poor and weak as we are, with Your gracious patience. Lift us up again by Your goodness in the midst of our daily and worrisome affairs, lest we be separated from Your kingdom through our stubbornness, wickedness, and error. Rather, grant that we may partake of and hold fast to the same in eternity. Amen.
The Third Prayer
Lord Jesus, after washing their feet, You commanded Your disciples that they ought to exercise true love and act in sincere humility towards one another. Grant that I may also diligently follow Your example, and since it is not within my power, endow me with Your Holy Spirit, that He might aid me through the power of Your Word, guide me, and protect me from all envy, pride, and arrogance. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Passional Betbüchlein (1582)
Lucas Cranach the Elder, The Foot Washing of the Apostles (1537)