Give to your Church, O God, the grace to follow in the steps of Jesus,

   who came as one who serves.

May we be ready in all the world to spend and be spent

   in the service of the poor and hungry,

   the sick and the ignorant.

May we work with strength and suffer with courage

   for the liberation of the oppressed

   and the restoration of dignity and freedom

   for all people, who are created in your image.

Grant this, our Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

John Kingsnorth, Salvation Army

Prayers for use at the Alternative Services, freely modified

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After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.