Here is a footwashing prayer from
Origen, a church leader from the third century.
Footwashing Prayer
O Jesus, my feet are dirty.
Come even as a slave to me,
pour water into your bowl,
come and wash my feet.
In asking such a thing I know I am
overbold
but I dread what was threatened when
you said to me,
“If I do not wash your feet I have
no fellowship with you.”
Wash my feet then, because I long
for your companionship.
And yet, what am I asking?
It was well for Peter to ask you to
wash his feet,
for him that was all that was needed
for him to be clean in every part.
With me it is different:
though you wash me now I shall still
stand in need of that other washing,
the cleansing you promised when you
said,
“there is a baptism I must needs be
baptized with.”
~ Origen c. 185-c. 254
