Good Friday

The Seven Words from the Cross

On Good Friday, we focus on the crucifixion of Jesus. It was a brutal and horrific form of execution in the ancient world.

It was a slow and lingering death. 

In reflecting on that event in Christ's life, we are struck by the abundance of God's love, who sent his son to die for us, that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 

It is customary to reflect on the seven words of Christ while he was on the cross. This year I came across a set of prayers based on each of the words. I hope you will find them useful as we prayerfully stand at the foot of the cross and ponder the love, the mystery and the grace of God manifest in our dying Saviour.

1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”Luke 23:34

O God in heaven,
give us patience
that we do not strike back
with revenge for any false accusations
or ridicule we endure from your enemies.
Guide us to remain faithful to your Word,
to follow your divine will,
and to forgive all who have done us harm;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

2. “Woman,behold, your son!” John 19:26

O God,
your Son displayed compassion
for his grieving mother
when he placed her into the care
of his beloved disciple, John.
Take us into your care with compassion.
Guard and shield us
from all the assaults of the evil foe
and from all enemies and persecutors
who seek to take Christian lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

3. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

O God in heaven,
from this vale of tears
we poor sinners cry to you,
“Lord, remember us in your kingdom.”
When our last hour comes,
comfort our hearts with your life-giving promise,
“Today will you be with me in paradise;”
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

O God, heavenly Father,
you have drawn us all to yourself
through the anguished suffering of Jesus Christ,
who cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”. For the sake of your Son,
do not forsake us
when we bear our heaviest crosses and afflictions,
but reach out to us
and uphold us with your fatherly grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

5. “I thirst.” John 19:28

O God,
in the parched suffering of your Son Jesus,
he cried out, “I am thirsty.”
Move us, your people,
to hunger and thirst for your righteousness.
Kindle our hearts with your divine love,
that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor rulers
will be able to separate us from your love.
Make us hunger and thirst to serve each other willingly;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

6. “It is finished,” John 19:30

O God in heaven,
according to your will in Jesus Christ,
all is finished for our salvation.
May our lives be filled
with deeds of gratitude according to your holy will,
and not following our own understanding;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Luke 23:46

O God in heaven,
help us faithfully follow our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you call us poor sinners from this world,
lead us to submit our souls to you,
and to pray with confidence in our hearts,
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”
even when our voices cannot speak.
Then receive us at last
into your gracious hands;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Joachim Mynsinger of Frundeck (1514-1588) from Gebetbuch, enthaltend die sämtlichen Gebete und Seufzer Martin Luther’s, wie auch Gebete von Melanchthon, Bugenhagen, Matthesius, Habermann, Arnd und andren Gott- erleuchteten Männern, Evangelischen Bücher-Verein, 1866, p. 371-372, #603