Good Friday Prayer

For the day itself. Often searched as “prayer for good friday”.

But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Lord Jesus, today we stand at the foot of the cross. We do not understand it fully, and we do not have to. We know it was for us. Thank You for loving us to the end. Forgive what we have done, and what we have not done. Keep us here a while, in the quiet, before we hurry on to Sunday. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A prayer to begin the day.

Lord, on this Good Friday, help me remember what it cost. Let my heart be quiet today, and let me not rush past it. Make me grateful, make me honest, and make me tender toward those who suffer. Let this day be a gift of sorrow and of love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One minute at the hour He died. Set a reminder.

Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

Father, it is three o’clock, and the day grows dark. Into Your hands I commit my spirit, as Your Son did. It is finished, He said, and I believe it. Thank You that nothing is left for me to pay. Let me stay here a minute, and be still. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When you cannot leave your desk.

Lord, today is Good Friday, and I am at my desk. I cannot leave, and I cannot say much. But I can think of You. Let a quiet thought of the cross be with me through this day. Make me kind to the people around me. Keep my heart turned toward You, even in the middle of this work. In Jesus’ name, amen.

No words needed, just a place to sit.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1

Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

Lord, I have no words today. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, He said, and I sit with that. I sit with the silence and the dark. I do not have to fix it. Receive my quiet. Be with all who feel forsaken today. Into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For when this Good Friday is also a grief day.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Psalm 34:18

Lord, this Good Friday, I carry a loss. Jesus, You know what it is to die, and what it is to lose. Be near to the brokenhearted. Be near to me. Let the sorrow of this day hold my sorrow, and let the promise of Sunday be a thread I hold on to. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A short, quiet family service at home.

Lord Jesus, we light this candle for You. The light goes out, and the room grows dark, as the world did when You died. We wait. We remember. We know that the dark does not have the last word. Keep us in this quiet a moment. Then, when the light returns, let us be glad. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A gentle one, that does not frighten.

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much. Today we remember that You died on the cross. It makes us sad, but we know the story does not end here. Thank You that You are alive again on Sunday. Help us be kind today. We love You. Amen.

For a day with little food.

Lord, today I eat very little. Let my hunger remind me of Your suffering, and of every person in the world who is hungry. Keep me from showing off. Keep me quiet, kind, and close to You. Let this small emptiness make room for gratitude. I will eat tonight, and I will thank You for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the alarm on a quiet morning.

Good morning, Lord. It is Good Friday. Before the noise of the day begins, I give You my quiet. Let me think of the cross this morning, and be grateful. Walk with me through the hours, and bring me to the evening with a heart that is still. In Jesus’ name, amen.