Washing students' feet.

John 13:1-6 The Message (MSG)

Washing His Disciples’ Feet

13 ^1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.

^3-6 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”

Earlier this week, I attended our Upstate Team Meetings, a semesterly spiritual formation retreat with the northern half of our NY/NJ region.  During one of the days there, we studied this passage (John 13) together. 

(Yes, it's the Message version.  You're not reading the link wrong.  A rare happenstance in InterVarsity, I know.  Don't worry, we still encountered the Lord.)

One of the big things that stood out to me was the fact that Jesus' identity and authority were not dependent on whether or not the disciples understood what he was saying or doing.  He knew His relationship to God and the authority He had been given to carry out His mission.

This didn't change when Peter clearly didn't understand what Jesus was doing, nor seemed patient enough to wait to understand later.  His identity and authority from God didn't change when Judas betrayed Him.  Jesus continued to love and serve them.  He pressed forward into the tension and confusion.  He didn't compromise his actions.  His authority didn't diminish with the disciples' comments or actions. 

This made me think about two things:

1. While I hunger for a deep sense of joy and compassion for this ministry at RIT, I wonder how much of my lack in those areas is tied to my belief that my authority is determined by how well people understand what I am doing.  It's a belief I know in my head isn't true, but I certainly act on it more than on the truth that my identity and spiritual authority come from Jesus.
   
2. What would it look like to 'wash the feet' of RIT students?  How can I serve them in such a way that would point them to the love of Jesus?

They are still things I am pondering over.  Would you pray with me as I continue to reflect on these thoughts and bring them to Jesus?

Awkward Jesus.

If I only ever did what was comfortable in my life, I'd never get past getting out of bed.  I like my bed.  It's extremely comfortable.  I rarely want to leave my cozy fluffy blanket and hunky husband in the morning, as much as I prefer mornings over evenings.

But I follow a Jesus who stood in the front lines of doing pretty uncomfortable things.  He invited not so special people to follow him that everyone else would have overlooked.  He shared meals with the unpopular, uncool, low-class people of his time.  He touched the untouchables.  He told people what to do, even though they hadn't met or interacted with each other before.  He broke the common cultural rules.  I mean, he even claimed to be the Messiah whom the Israelites have been waiting for for thousands of years?!

Talk about awkward.  I'm squirming in my seat just thinking about doing equivalent things today.

But if I claim to follow Jesus, then my actions need to reflect that belief.  That means talking to new people who don't know Jesus when I don't feel like it.  That means listening well and not getting defensive when students unhelpfully criticize our ministry.  That means confronting conflict, not avoiding it.  That means showing up on campus when I don't want to go.  That means being open and honest with students about how I'm doing and what I'm feeling when it would be easy to fake it.

Pray that RIT students and I wouldn't get stuck in the comfortable.

Fresh perspective.

There are many ways I like to pray, but prayer walking is not one of them.

You'd think because of my sensory preferences of information gathering and tendency towards the kinesthetic learning style, that I'd enjoy it very much.  Walking, going, and being at the locations of sources of prayer seem like it'd spark a lot of creative and interesting ways to pray as opposed to sitting in a circle in a room with people holding hands.

And it's true.

I've discovered that it's prayer walking in groups that I don't like.  The prayer walks I've experienced in groups involved confusion around where to walk or which way to walk; the awkwardness of praying out loud so that the people you pass along the way give you strange looks; and not being able to hear someone's prayer, just for a few examples.

God finally nudged me hard enough to take a prayer walk on campus that I had been putting off all summer.

Fine, I said, but I'm going by myself.

And God replied, When did I say you had to go with anyone?  I simply said to go.

Oh.  I guess that's right.

So I went.

God's big nudge had come at a time where I was really frustrated with students for not doing things excellently, with myself for not being able to coach them or lead them well, and with the lack of fruit I was expecting and hoping to see after a few years of hard work.  I was at a breaking point, and knew I needed to do something to empty me of myself and be filled with compassion for RIT.

I committed an hour of my time on campus.  I simply wandered around a part of campus, stopping every once in a while to write down what I observed and what I heard.  Towards the end of that hour I used the contents of this list as springboards for prayer. 

I've only done this prayer walk once so far.  It wasn't an earth-shattering event, but it felt like it was groundbreaking for my hardening heart.  There were no evangelistic moments or divine appointments, but my obedience out of the desire to meet with the Lord created a shift in my posture.  There were no revelations or inspired images, but there were small, new discoveries of things I thought I knew.

Like bubble tea in The Market.  Or that there's a second floor of Global Village where the Study Abroad office is.

God's nudging was for me to do this on a weekly basis, so I'm hoping to get into the habit of spending an hour each week for this kind of prayer walk, exploring a different part of campus.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

February prayer: Day 29

Thank you so much for partnering with us this month in prayer! 

A few more illustrations to show how God is answering:

Jainnie (staff in Long Island) writes about her students’ living out the gospel:

Becky has been praying for her friend. They have had numerous spiritual conversations. Becky has been sharing her faith.   Her friend is interested. This spring break (March 17-23), Becky's friend will actually be staying with her! Becky feels she can take the step to ask her friend about following Jesus. 

Kevin found out that his theater professor is a Christian and attends a local church. This has given him boldness to approach his theater friends and start conversations about Jesus!

Eric chose to engage his Japanese suitemate instead of watching TV this Saturday night. They had a great spiritual conversation. Eric's friend has downloaded an online version of the Bible and will start reading the gospels. Wouldn't it be amazing to see Eric's friend amazed by Jesus and deciding to follow Him?

Dan's friend is ready to explore faith. He has been praying for her and nurturing their friendship. He took the next step in asking her to study Jesus and Christianity together. 

And this from Glen Ewart, we’ve been praying for their proxe outreach at Clarkson/Potsdam:

This past week we thought we were being appropriately ambitious by setting a goal to guide 120 students through the station with at least 60 follow-up requests.  But, by the end of Monday, we could see that God was already “doing more than we could ask or imagine.”  Over the course of the week 200 students walked through and heard the gospel and 96 follow-up requests were collected!  

Last night we held an event at the center of Clarkson University featuring a local Christian band, which performed several popular songs related to the theme, and our speaker, who made it clear to those in attendance that only in Jesus can we find complete satisfaction.  To have the opportunity to proclaim the gospel in Clarkson’s Student Center Forum - a very open, public space - was a tremendous answer to prayer and a great Kingdom opportunity.

In the last 30 years there has not been a week when we shared the gospel with as many students on these campuses as we did this past week!  Seeds like never before are being sown and watered.  Please pray with us for God to provide the increase.  Specifically, we are praying for at least 11 students come to faith in Christ this semester, but we hope that God will, once again, surpass our expectations.  

February prayer: Day 24

Yesterday, we prayed for Travis as he made an invitation to faith at Montclair State University.  This is what Travis reports:

Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. And tonight at our meeting, Jessica expressed her desire to be found. We met Jessica toward the end of last semester. She didn't know why, but she wanted to learn more about God. This semester, she engaged with our group and attended our meetings, wrestling with the idea of God and the identity of Jesus.

Last week, she shared with me that she really wanted to believe in Jesus. But she was unsure:

"I mean, I believe in God. But I believe that each religion is kind of right. All these things lead to God" she said.

After hearing her out, I asked if I could share what I believe. I shared that her current view operates on an assumption and has a very frightening implication:

The assumption supporting this view is that God has not reached out to man at all. That God is distant and that it’s man doing all of the reaching.

The implication is that God has just created mankind and left us in the dark. God is just floating around while we experience death, war, violence, abuse, and famine. And this God has left us in the dark to do the reaching on our own. A god that would do that is not worth finding. That god is not worth my time, my worship, or my life.

Last week, she had to think about that as it was a lot to take in. Tonight, I gave a Gospel message and a careful invitation. When it came time for the response, she bravely stood up in front of everyone so that all could celebrate her decision to move from spiritual death to spiritual life!

Afterward while we were talking, I asked about her decision. She pointed to how I illustrated Eph 2:8-9 and said, "You mentioned this new life was a free gift. That I can just come to Jesus. Well, I really wanted that."

She still has some doubts which she says are largely based in her lack of knowledge of the Bible. But she knows she wants what Jesus has to offer.

Praise God!  Please join us as we continue to pray for 7 more turns toward Jesus this week.

Isaiah 2:5-“O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!”  The cold, darkness of winter will come to an end soon.  Light always dispels darkness.  Light     a l w a y s  wins.  ALL WAYS.  When a believer-- a Christ-bearer-- walks into any room, the room should light up!  Lord makes us to reflect your glory, dispel our own darkness, help us to walk in your light that we might help others find their way out of the dark corners they are hiding in.

February prayer: Day 23

Thank you for praying with us!  Here’s some more evidence of how God is hearing our prayers:

From Travis, staff at Montclair State University:

Over the past few weeks, our Small Group ministry leaders have tripled, a GIG (Group Investigating God) has a good chance of starting, numerous seekers and younger Christians have moved from crowd to visitor to member. Last year, they didn't get past crowd. Our administrative capacity has increased and we've invited small group leaders to join our Servant Leadership Team  meetings. At our leader's day earlier this month, we set a goal of seeing 10 students come. 12 did! In the past, that number has been more like 2 or 3.

From Diane, staff at Lehmann College:

Tim gave a great call to faith—6 students responded and I know that 4 were definitely not believers!  We’ll be following up to see exactly what all those responses meant.

As a group of staff prayed today, someone sensed that the Lord wanted to call 12 individuals this week to make a significant turn in their faith—as in new believers or recommitments.  Please pray for this!

Isaiah 1: 16-17-“…cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”   Soon many students will come to NYC to participate in our weekly spring break New York City Urban Project.  Students will prepare and serve meals for the homeless and learn about opportunities to be involved in agencies fighting human trafficking, among other things.  

Pray that God would kindle a flame in these students to seek justice, do good, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, etc. 

February prayer: Day 22

Isaiah 44: 8-“…You are my witnesses!  Is there any god besides me?  There is no other rock; I know not one.”  The authenticity of our witness is based in who we understand God to be.  

Pray that as we grow in insight and revelation, our witness would be empowered.  That nothing would douse the flame that lives in our hearts.

From Cook/Douglass:

I just wanted to say that I have been blown away by the power of our prayer campaign this month. I decided when the month began that I would make a concerted effort to send out an email every day, regardless of what I was doing. I also decided that as often as I could I would send a specific request for Cook/Douglass. I've done both of these things in the past, but was never super faithful in sending the requests out each day, and often failed to include specific requests for my chapter. 

All I can say is that I am amazed at the response we have seen. Despite the snow canceling numerous meetings, small groups and large groups, we continue to see new people EVERY week at large group, small groups are thriving (we currently have 8, with one or two GIGs starting after our big justice outreach event in March) and we are seeing our CORE growing and stepping up. We have seen at least 2 people make first time decisions to follow Jesus, and many other students desiring to go deeper in their faith. Students are inviting friends, roommates, people in their classes, to small and large groups. They want to learn how to study the Bible for themselves and be able to talk about it with their peers. They regularly eat together during the week, and invite others to join them. I am seeing their heart for the poor and oppressed growing, and a stronger desire for justice developing. 

From Clarkson/Potsdam:

 Yesterday we were thrilled to guide over 50 students at SUNY Potsdam through the Satisfied Proxe Station, with over 20 requesting follow-up.  Today we are on track to exceed that number.  

Last week I mentioned our goal was to bring at least 120 students through the Proxe Station this week with at least 60 follow-up requests.  We now see our faith was way too small.  By the end of today we are likely to be very close to reaching that goal and we still have another two full days left!  

February prayer: Day 21

Isaiah 54: 2-“Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.”  We are seeing a rise in interest of reaching out to affinity groups: Athletes at The College of New Jersey, Greek students (fraternities and sororities) at RPI and Cornell, International students at Clarkson and Potsdam and NYC.  The sites of our tents are indeed enlarging.  

Pray that none of our InterVarsity chapters would hold back from exploring new territory to announce the good news of Jesus.  Where does the flame of the gospel need to burn on your campus?  With what new groups?  Pray that as we become more bold in our witness, the kingdom would expand into these new sectors.  Pray by name for your not-yet Christian friends.

Thank you for praying with us!

February prayer: Day 20

Isaiah 6:3-“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  What would happen on our campuses if there was a greater comprehension of the holiness of God?  What would you do if you recognized God to be thrice holy right now in this moment?  How would it change the next thing you did?  

Lord, stir up worship in our hearts.  Stir up adoration.  Light a fire of repentance under us as we gaze at your holiness. 

Thank you for joining us in prayer!

February prayer: Day 19

Thanks for praying with us!  God is at work!

Thursday night at Cook/Douglass, four students indicated a desire to follow Jesus as their Savior! We know that at least two of these were first time decisions, and we are following up with all four to find out more about their decisions. And later at Busch students stood to reclaim an active following on Jesus and one of those students was claiming her faith in Jesus for the first time!

At the Columbia freshmen retreat Mark Scandrette inspired students to try some spiritual growth 'experiments'.  Some students decided to set aside 15 minutes at the beginning and end of every day to practice breath prayer.  They started doing this with the door open.  Other students began to show up.  Some of them non-Christians.  But they are drawn by the practice, listen to the psalm (or proverb) and practice breath prayer.  This seems to be gaining momentum.  

Isaiah 40: 22-23-“It is he who sits above the circle of the earth…who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.”  Sometimes we shrink in fear of earthly authorities and throw up our hands when an obstacle comes our way saying, “That’s just the way it is in the world.”  The word from Scripture is “NO!!”  God is in power; he sits above and can change the tide of what is happening.  

Pray for those who may feel overwhelmed and pressed under by worldly authorities.  Only a small flame can light up a dark room.  Pray for a deeper realization of God’s power and authority and the access to it.

February prayer: Day 18

Isaiah 49: 6c-“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  Thousands of international students—THE NATIONS—study on our campuses in NY/NJ.  University of Buffalo, Rutgers, Cornell, Columbia, NYU and others are temporary home to students from countries where missionaries cannot enter or where it is a life-threatening situation to convert to Christianity.  Last week a Chinese International student made a decision to follow Jesus at Columbia's Global IV.

Lord, today we pray that you would draw into your fold students who have sought their education here in the States, but who come from places where they have never heard of the name of Jesus.  Bring them to yourself, Jesus.  May we be a light to the nations, aflame for you.

February prayer: Day 17

Isaiah 41: 10-“do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am with you, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”  Knowing God’s presence kindles a flame within us.  Knowing God is victorious kindles a flame within us.  

Name your fears today before the living God who lives within you.  Relinquish them—all those things that keep you from witness.  Trust in God to uphold you, to work through you.  Pray that for our student leaders and staff.

Thanks for joining us for prayer.

February prayer: Day 16

Thank you for praying with us!

Isaiah 4: 1-6-“…indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy.  It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.”  

Lord, would you make our InterVarsity chapters like this canopy where your glory is made known to all who enter, where refuge is found, where shelter is experienced?  Make us to reflect your glory, to be your torch-bearers.

February prayer: Day 15

Isaiah 52:1, 2 - “Awake, awake, put on your strength…Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion!”   There is a strength that we have not tapped into.  Our witness is dulled by dust and hindered by chains.  

Pray that those who have called on the name of Jesus will arise from their slumber, awake to the mission of Jesus at their doorstep and take bold steps of action today as the Lord gives them strength.  Name the name of your friends who need Jesus to the only One who can give them life; ask the Lord to awaken them by kindling a fire in their hearts.

Thanks for praying with us.

February prayer: Day 14

Isaiah 6:8- “Here I am, send me.”  Many of our schools are either unstaffed, understaffed, or staffed by a volunteer.  We have new groups sprouting up contacting us for help, but we need staff to help them.  Pure and simple we need more staff.  

Praise God!  We have some potential staff in the pipeline.  We need more.  Pray for a faithful response, like Isaiah’s, to God’s calling.  Pray for the funding, pray for God’s flame to set us ablaze.

Thanks for joining us in prayer!

February prayer: Day 13

Thanks for praying with us!

Isaiah 40:28-“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary…”  How big is your God?  Does God seem far off and disinterested sometimes?  That is not the truth of the Scriptural record.  

Lord, bring us back to the truth of what the Scriptures tell us about you.  We reject and renounce the lies we have been living under and have allowed to rule our hearts.  Fan your truth into a fire within us.

February prayer: Day 12

We start a new theme today: Kindle a Flame

Isaiah 46: 11b-“I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have planned, and I will do it.”  More than 132 times in chapters 40-46 of Isaiah God speaks of his actions or nature using the words shall, will, is, has, have, makes, am, give and others.  These words speak of promises, of faithfulness of God’s desire to work on behalf of his beloved.  Make no mistake: the flame is kindled by God’s hand.  

Worship him today and look for where that flame is being kindled.

February prayer: Day 11

Isaiah 47:10-“You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’  Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.’”  Making ourselves out to be God.  Arrogance.  Pride.  Utter Rebelliousness.  

Deliver us, Lord, from ourselves, from our pride that deadens us to your authority and sovereignty.  Melt our hearts of ice, Lord.

Thanks for praying with us!

February prayer: Day 10

Thank you for joining us in prayer!

Isaiah 58: 6, 7-“Is this not the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice…to let the oppressed go free…is it not to share your bread with the hungry…”  Many of our InterVarsity chapters have been leveraging campus outrage at injustice as a touch point for introducing folks to Jesus.  Many students come away intrigued about Jesus.  

Pray that as unbelieving students get involved in justice concerns they would meet the God who calls us to do justice.  Pray that practicing justice would bring a thawing of the heart.

February prayer: Day 9

Isaiah 5:11-“Ah, you who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger in the evening to be inflamed by wine…”  This weekend hundreds, more likely, thousands of college students around NY/NJ sought to escape their insecurities, parental pressure, depression, loneliness, and inhibitions by filling themselves with as much alcohol as they can.  

Pray that as Christians we will reach out, not with judgment, but with the love of Christ.  Which of your friends are found in this category?  Pray for them by name now. Thaw our hearts Lord to those in need.

Thank you for joining us in prayer.