Prayer of Confession: Maundy Thursday

Here’s a prayer of confession / words of assurance for Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.  They were written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession (based on John 13:34-35)

God's love for the world has been revealed in Jesus Christ, who certainly loved us to the uttermost; Jesus – Saviour and Lord – who at his last meal with his disciples gave them – and us – that new commandment: “…love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Merciful God,
we confess that so often our discipleship has been weak ...
when we have failed to serve as Jesus served;
forgive us.
                                     
When we have failed to love one another as Jesus loves us;
forgive us.
                                       
When we have been happy to proclaim our devotion to Jesus with
our lips and then denied him by our actions;
forgive us.                                     
                                        
Merciful God, empower us by your Spirit to be steady and true
to you in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
                     
Assurance of Forgiveness (based on John 12:47; 13:1)

Jesus said: "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" 
 and "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end"  

The good news therefore is this: In Jesus Christ, we are loved and we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!

— written by Moira Laidlaw,  and posted on the Liturgies Online website. 

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.