GOOD FRIDAY PRAYERS
Biblical Texts: Psalm 22:1-21, Isaiah 52:13-53:12
You who were despised and rejected and suffered deeply because of us,
forgive us!
We are shamed by memories of our own rejection of You. We are shamed to
know that we were like ravenous beasts who longed to tear your flesh and
destroy You.
We mocked and insulted You.
We pierced You.
We gloated over You.
We despised You.
But You endured it all for our sake and for the sake of people
everywhere.
Our sins brought You affliction. Our sins crushed You.
But through your suffering, You brought us healing and peace. Such
willing, suffering love is too deep for us to comprehend, but we humble
ourselves before You in gratitude. Amen.
Leader: Christ
Jesus, how did You endure the hour when darkness reigned?
People: How did you endure the sellout and crass
betrayal by
one of your closest
friends?
Leader: How
did you endure the petty squabbling of your
followers
for supremacy among them?
People: How did you endure it when another of your
closest
friends denied,
repeatedly, that he knew you?
Leader: How
did you endure the mockery and beating?
People: How did you endure the demands that you
prophesy?
Leader: How
did you endure the false accusations?
People: How did you endure the acquiescence to
pressure by
one
who declared you innocent?
Leader: How
did you endure the bitter trade—your life for that
of
a known criminal?
People: How did you endure the agony of the cross?
Leader: Some
days we can understand neither the how nor the
why
of everything that You endured.
People: Some days it all seems so desperate and
pointless.
Leader: Yet,
somehow, through all of this, You remained true to your own vision.
People: Somehow, through all of this, You defeated
sin and
death.
Leader: This
is a deep, deep mystery.
All: We
ponder it in hope. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment