Holy Week Prayers

For the whole week. Often searched as “holy week prayer”, “prayer for holy week” or “holy week daily”.

Lord Jesus, this week You walked toward the cross. Walk with me, day by day. Let me not hurry to Easter without sitting a while at the table, in the garden, and at the foot of the cross. Slow me down. Show me what You see. Let me arrive at the empty tomb with a heart that has actually made the journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hosanna! The first day of the week. Often searched as “prayer for palm sunday”.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9

Lord Jesus, You rode into the city on a donkey, and the people shouted, Hosanna! Save us! We shout it too. And we know how quickly the crowd changed its song. Keep my praise from being only for the good days. Be my king today and on Friday. Let me follow You into the whole week. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The day He cleared the temple.

Lord Jesus, You turned over tables in the temple because Your Father’s house was meant for prayer. Turn over the tables in my heart. Clear out what has made it a market. Make room for quiet, for honesty, and for You. Let me be a house of prayer today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The day of questions and parables.

Lord, on this day You taught in the temple, and questions came from every side. Give me the humility to hear You, and the courage to answer honestly. Let me not be among those who ask questions to trap You. Teach me to watch, to be ready, and to love my neighbor. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The quiet day, when a betrayal was being planned.

Lord, on this quiet day, one of Your friends was already weighing the cost of betraying You. I do not know my own heart as well as I think. Keep me faithful when it is easy to drift. Forgive me for the times I have sold You for less than I should have. Keep me close. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The washing of feet, the new commandment, the garden. Often searched as “holy thursday prayer”.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. John 13:34

He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” Matthew 26:39

Lord Jesus, tonight You knelt and washed Your friends’ feet. Teach me to love like that: low, specific, and unafraid of dirt. Give me a new commandment written on my heart. Be with me in the garden, when I want to pray, and I fall asleep. Keep watch with me. Not my will, but Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the day in between. Often searched as “holy saturday prayer”.

This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul. “Therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

Lord, today the tomb is closed and the world is quiet. I know the end of the story, but today I sit in the waiting with those who did not. Be with me in my own Saturdays: the unanswered, the in-between, the tests that have not come back. I trust that Sunday is coming. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the week after Easter, when most people stop praying about it.

Lord, the week after Easter is ordinary again, but let it not be ordinary to me. Keep the resurrection alive in my days. Let me remember on Wednesday what I celebrated on Sunday. Make me a person who keeps saying it: He is risen. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It is not too late. You can still walk the last week.

Lord, I missed most of Lent. I meant to start, and I did not. It is not too late, and You are not waiting to scold me. Let me begin now. Give me this one week. Let me read, pray, and sit in the quiet. Bring me to Easter as someone who has been with You on the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thirty seconds, before work.

Good morning, Lord. It is Holy Week, and I have work to do. Walk with me through the day. Let me keep a quiet corner of my mind for You, even in meetings and traffic. Bring me to the end of the day a little closer to the cross. In Jesus’ name, amen.