Maundy Thursday 2025
*SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 114
Psalms 113–118 are called the The Hallel Psalms and are often read at Passover.
Prayers: Invite Prayers of Adoration
Part 1: A New Command
*Reader: Maundy Means ‘Command’ – this evening of Maundy Thursday is meant to focus us on the ‘New Command’ of Jesus. But what was wrong with the Old Command? Yes God was still forming a people and they could worship him through sacrifices and with the help of priests… but a new command, a new way to worship and to be empowered by God was coming. The Father sent the Son, who would sent the Spirit who would send the Church, Us. This new command would be centred around the work and presence of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: John 13:1-5
*Reader: This new command wouldn’t just be loving others as God has instructed us to do… but we would love others in the example of Christ. Jesus is the new standard of love.
Prayer Prompts:
- Prayers of adoration for who Jesus is
- Help us to love others fully, even when it’s dirty
- Teach us to serve with humility
- Jesus show us who you are in this story
Part 2: A New Community
*READER: This meal, the last supper, is filled with the grace of God and with human failure and imperfection. Judas the betrayer sits at the table. Peter the deny-er is there too. The disciples instead of serving one another are preoccupied with discussion of who is greatest among them. But the love and grace of God reigns on this night.
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 14:17-25
Take Communion together and pray through some of these prayer prompts.
- Thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus’ Body and life poured out for us
- Thanksgiving that we are welcome at this table
- That we as TNC would represent the body of Christ and that our Mission Groups would reflect God’s presence and work in our neighbourhoods
- That we would pour our lives out for one another and for our neighbours as Jesus has poured himself out for us
Part 3: Denial
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 14:26-31
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Prayer Prompts:
- Lord when we are weak you are strong
- Thanksgiving for the promise of resurrection
- Thanksgiving that Jesus invites us in the midst of our failure
- The Holy Spirit would increase our faith and trust
- We would be honest before God – our yes would be yes
As we move Into the Garden: Dim the lights and light a few candles for aesthetics.
Part 4: Keep Watch with Me.
Matthew 26:36-46
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
- Pray for Surrender to God’s Will (Matthew 26:39)
- Pray for Strength in Times of Trials (Matthew 26:40)
- Pray for a Heart to Understand the Weight of Sin (Matthew 26:38)
- Pray for a Deeper Desire for God’s Presence (Matthew 26:38)
- Pray for endurance in prayer (Matthew 26:43)
- Pray for Boldness in the face of Fear
- Pray for alignment with God’s will (Matthew 26:39)
- Pray for compassion for others in their struggles (Matthew 26:41)
- Pray with gratitude for the example of Jesus
- Pray for our weekend of Prayer. That we would draw near to Jesus, trust him, hear him and depend our faith and love for him.
Part 5: Our Way of the Kingdom Way
Luke 22: 47-43
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
- Pray for Strength to Face Betrayal and Injustice (Luke 22:47)
- Pray for Discernment in Moments of Conflict (Luke 22:48)
- Pray for a Heart of Boldness in Standing for Truth (Luke 22:52)
- Pray for the Ability to Respond in Love (Luke 22:50)
- Pray for Forgiveness and Restoration (Luke 22:51)
- Pray for the Grace to Accept God’s Will, Even in Suffering (Luke 22:52)
- Pray for Humility in the Face of Oppression (Luke 22:53)
- Pray for Patience When Facing Spiritual Opposition (Luke 22:53)
- Pray for Courage to Stand Firm in Faith (Luke 22:52)
- Pray for Awareness of God’s Presence in Our Darkest Moments (Luke 22:53)
Listening and Reflection
Where do you place yourself in the story of the garden? Who do you identify with the most tonight?
- Jesus wrestling in prayer
- Disciples falling asleep weary with sorrow
- Judas imposing his idea of God’s kingdom coming
- The disciples picking up swords and defending Jesus with force
- The Servant of the High priest who meets Jesus in a most unexpected way of healing
Closing Reading:
Then everyone deserted him and fled. – Mark 14:50