On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).
Good Friday Prayers: Table of Contents
- Bible Verses
- Thankfulness
- The Passion
- Precious Blood
- It Is Finished
- Prayer for Holy Week
- Mozarabic
- Short Invocation
Good Friday Bible Verses
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. ~ Romans 6:5
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ~ 1 Peter 2:24
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ~ John 3:16-17
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ~ Isaiah 53:5
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" ~ Philippians 2:8
7 Prayers for Good Friday
Use these Good Friday Prayers to praise our Lord, Jesus Christ, give thanks to His sacrifice on the cross, and request that He have mercy on us. May these prayers help your heart and mind to truly appreciate the glorious gift of redemption from sin that Christ has given mankind.
A Prayer of Thankfulness
Dear God, We remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so we could be set free. He paid the price, such a great sacrifice, to offer us the gift of eternal life.
Help us never to take for granted this huge gift of love on our behalf. Help us to be reminded of the cost of it all. Forgive us for being too busy, or distracted by other things, for not fully recognizing what you freely given, what you have done for us.
Thank you, Lord, that by your wounds we are healed. Thank you that because of your huge sacrifice we can live free. Thank you that sin and death have been conquered and that your Power is everlasting.
Thank you that we can say with great hope, “It is finished…” For we know what’s still to come. And death has lost its sting. We praise you for you are making all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The Passion: Good Friday Prayer
Jesus, our Lord and our God, you gave your cheek to those who struck you and for our sake you endured much mockery. Grant that following the example of your sufferings, we may be courageous in bearing our own, and learn from you, for you are meek and lowly in heart; you now reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
Source: Mozarabic, modified from Daily Prayer.
The Precious Blood of Jesus
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, you came down from heaven to earth from your Father’s side, suffered five wounds on the wood of the cross, and shed your precious blood for the forgiveness of our sins. At the day of judgment set us at your right hand, speak to us those sweet words, “Come, you who are blessed, into my Father’s kingdom;” with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever.
Source: Sarum Missal,
"It Is Finished" Prayer
O blessed Jesus, most mighty lion, King immortal and most victorious, remember the sorrow that you suffered when all your powers of heart and body failed you utterly, and when you bowed your head and said, “It is finished.” Remembering your anguish and sorrow, blessed Jesus, have mercy on me in my last hour. Amen.
Source: Sarum Primer, 1538
Prayer for Holy Week
O Father, most merciful, in the beginning you created us, and by the passion of your only Son you created us anew. Work in us now, both to will and to do what pleases you. Since we are weak and can do no good thing by ourselves, grant us your grace and heavenly blessing, that in whatever work we engage we may do all to your honor and glory.
Keep us from sin and empower us daily to do good works, that as long as we live in the body we may always perform service to you. After our departure give us pardon of all our sins, and receive us to eternal life; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century
Mozarabic Good Friday Prayer
O God, Son of God, you suffered for us, the righteous for the unrighteous. Save us by the shame of your Passion, and clothe us with the robe of your righteousness. Through the suffering and death you did not deserve, we have escaped the punishment our sins have deserved. Amen.
Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects
Short Invocation for Good Friday
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O Christ, hear us.
God, the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Be gracious to us. Spare us, good Lord.
Be gracious to us. Help us, good Lord.
From every sin, from every error, from every evil, from the devil’s lies and cunning, from eternal death, deliver us, good Lord.
By the mystery of the holy incarnation, by your holy birth, by your baptism, fasting and temptation, by your agony and bloody sweat, by your cross and suffering, by your death and burial, by your resurrection and ascension, by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, in all times of trouble, in all times of prosperity, in the hour of death, help us, good Lord.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, hear us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace.
Amen.
Source: The Short Litany, prescribed for Good Friday
Some of these prayers sourced from acollectionofprayers.com; Photo from GettyImages
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