A Good Friday Prayer

Lord Jesus, today we stand at the foot of the cross, and we hardly know what to say.

You were wounded for our transgressions. You were bruised for our iniquities. The weight we could not carry, You carried. The debt we could not pay, You paid.

Forgive us for how quickly we forget the cost. Today, let us not rush past this. Let us stay here a while — in the silence, in the sorrow, in the love that held You there when nails never could.

Thank You that You did not come down, though You had all power to. Thank You for the words that still astonish us: Father, forgive them. Speak those words over us again today.

And even in this darkness, Lord, we hold on to what You promised. The story does not end on Friday. Teach us to wait through the world's long Saturdays with our eyes on Sunday.

In Your holy name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this on Good Friday, especially between noon and three o'clock, or before a Good Friday service. It suits a quiet moment alone or a solemn reading with family.

A Verse to Hold On To

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." — Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)