While Holy Week is full of exciting events, Maundy Thursday is where the famous events start. These prayers and Bible passages help us reflect on the circumstances and message of Maundy Thursday, where Jesus prepared for his death.
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What Happened on Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week. Earlier in the week (Palm Sunday), Jesus entered Jerusalem, and (on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday) he preached and debated the religious leaders. Judas agreed to betray Jesus at some point, traditionally commemorated on Holy Wednesday (or Spy Wednesday).
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus and his disciples held the Last Supper. Afterward, they went to the Mount of Olives. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed and was comforted by an angel as he waited for his betrayer to appear. Judas came with temple guards to arrest Jesus; after a scuffle where Peter cut off a guard’s ear, the guards took Jesus away. Late at night (in a trial that would have been illegal since it happened after court hours and in someone’s home instead of the temple), the religious leaders condemned Jesus to death. Either late at night or early on Friday morning, Jesus was taken to Pilate. Sometime during this late Thursday and early Friday period, Peter denied Jesus three times.
You can read the complete account of Maundy Thursday in the following Bible passages: Matthew 26:17-75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-65, John 13:1-18:27
5 Prayers from the Bible for Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday marks a time of great struggle, which also builds up to a glorious event (Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday). These Bible verses (including Psalm 22, which Jesus quotes from the cross) remind us of both the trial and the triumph. You can pray them collectively or individually, declare them as part of a larger prayer, or meditate on them during a prayer exercise.
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
Do not be far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:11-19 NIV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3-6 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
5 Classic Christian Prayers for Maundy Thursday
Sometimes praying a prayer that other Christians have used in the past can be very enriching. These classic prayers are excerpted from early church sources, books by classic Christian authors, and other sources.
“Jehovah God, incline me to make Jesus my example in all the duties of life. May the same mind that was in him be also in me. Lead me to walk even as he walked; for he that followeth not after him is not worthy of him. May I look unto him as my pattern of patience and humility, prayer and faith, long-suffering and benevolence.” —Albert Barnes, Manual of Prayer
“We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David thy servant, which thou hast made known to us through Jesus, thy servant; to thee by the glory forever.” —The Didache
“Blessed Son of God! the Father loveth Thee and hath given Thee all things. And Thou lovest the Father, and hast done all things He commanded Thee, and therefore hast the power to ask all things. Lord! Give us Thine own Spirit, the Spirit of the Son. Make us childlike, as Thou wert on earth. And let every prayer be breathed in the faith that as the heaven is higher than the earth, so God’s Father-love, and His readiness to give us what we ask, surpasses all we can think or conceive. Amen.”—Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer
“We thank thee, our Father, for the life and the knowledge which thou hast made known to us through Jesus, thy servant; to thee by the glory forever. Just as this broken bread was scattered over the hills and having been gathered together became one, so let thy church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into thy kingdom; for thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever.” —The Didache
“O good Shepherd, who didst lay down Thy life for the sheep, remember us: Be propitious, and have mercy upon us.” —The Mozarabic Breviary
10 Contemporary Prayers for Maundy Thursday
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that in the Garden of Gethsemane, you did not turn from what had to be done. You knew the coming pain, but you asked only for escape if it was God’s will (Matthew 26:39). Help me to have a spirit of obedience where I too can ask, “not my will, but your will be done.”
Amen
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that your Word shows us your moment of struggle on the Mount of Olives. We often forget that you were not just God; you were also a man. You walked on this earth in human flesh, tempted, and suffered. Help me better appreciate your mysterious nature, the combination of fully God and fully human that made your sacrifice possible.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
Far too often, I am distracted by concerns about whatever problem could be coming soon or is clearly on the horizon. On Maundy Thursday, in a little room where you ate with your disciples, you knew what was coming ahead, and you still found time to wash people’s feet (John 13:1-7). Help to remember that whatever troubles are ahead, there are opportunities now to serve.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
While taking part in the Last Supper, you already knew which of your friends would hurt you the most. You knew Peter would betray you, and you honestly told him what would happen (Luke 22:34). Yet even as you told Peter what pain he would cause, you did not disown him. You extended charity to those you loved who would hurt you in the worst way. Help me to understand and emulate that charity. Show me when it is best to tell someone about the pain they are causing, but how to do it in a way that communicates love and concern. If those people cause me pain anyway, show me how to have the love you still had for people after they had betrayed you. Help me live a life of charity and with truth, honesty and forgiveness.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
You warned us that serving you would not be easy, and people might disown us for following you (John 16:1-4). Yet even though we will lose things for following you, you told us that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, would be with us (John 14:16-17). Help me be sober-minded about suffering in this life, recognizing that following you is to follow the Suffering Servant. Show me how to fix my eyes on the supernatural guidance your Holy Spirit provides. Remind me that whatever I suffer in this life, I am in your arms. Let that truth grant me a hope that surpasses circumstances, a peace that passes understanding.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
We know that your holy wisdom is foolishness to humanity (1 Corinthians 3:19), and sometimes your ways are strange. In the middle of a meeting where you were the master, you washed your servants’ feet. In the middle of a Passover celebration, you created a new tradition with the bread and the wine. Grow my wisdom so that I know the time and the place to do something shocking that serves you. Give me the insight and humility I need to follow you even when that requires surprising people. May my sometimes shocking actions point not to me, but the truths you want to reveal to people.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
As you prayed with your disciples at the Last Supper, you mentioned those who would follow them in your service (John 17:20). From before your crucifixion to your ascension, you spoke about future followers who would become your church. Help us have the unity you prayed we would have, to be your obedient children working together peacefully to do your work. Our fellowship is in you.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
You tell us that there are times to carry a sword (Luke 22:36) and times to put it down (Matthew 26:52). In the Garden of Gethsemane, you knew the way of the sword was useless and brought healing even to those who had come to capture you. Show me when peace is needed and how to stand boldly for peace even when everyone is swayed to create conflict.
Lord Jesus,
Even when people came to arrest you in the Garden, you could have overcome. You spoke the words “I am He,” and people fall to the ground (John 18:6). You could have used your power to destroy all of your captors and flee, but you did what was right instead. Help me remember in chaotic times that you are still here, with power to save, even if that power doesn’t appear to be present. You are God alone. You are working things according to plans even when it isn’t apparent. Guide me into a deeper knowledge of your sovereignty and greater hope in your strength.
Amen
Lord Jesus,
You stood resolute even as others mocked you and made false accusations when you were brought before the religious leaders. You were tried in a trial that was not legal by the day's standards, treated inhumanely. You refused to descend to your persecutors’ level throughout all this abuse. In moments when others lie about me or genuinely persecute me, show me how to stand for your truth. I know that the world hated you first and will also hate me (John 15:18). Grant me the trust I need that I will stand for you and be an example no matter what happens.
Amen
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Mizina
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