Good Friday, Morning Prayer

GREETING

We adore you, O Christ, as we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
You were lifted high upon the tree.
Let us gaze upon our God who saves.

DOXOLOGY

PSALM 22:1-22
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

God, my God,
why have you abandoned me—
far from my cry, my words of pain?
I call by day, you do not answer;
I call by night, but find no rest.

You are the Holy One enthroned,
the Praise of Israel.
Our people trusted, they trusted you;
you rescued them.
To you they cried, and they were saved;
they trusted and were not shamed.

But I am a worm, hardly human,
despised by all, mocked by the crowd.
All who see me jeer at me,
sneer at me, shaking their heads:
“You relied on God; let God help you!
If God loves you, let God save you!”

But you, God, took me from the womb,
you kept me safe at my mother’s breast.
I belonged to you from the time of birth,
you are my God from my mother’s womb.

Do not stay far off,
danger is so close.
I have no other help.
Wild bulls surround me,
bulls of Bashan encircle me,
opening their jaws against me
like roaring, ravening lions.

I am poured out like water,
my bones are apart,
my heart is wax melting.within me.
my throat baked and dry,
my tongue stuck to my jaws.
You bring me down to the dust of death.

There are dogs all around me,
a pack of villains corners me.
They tear at my hands and feet,
I can count all my bones.
They stare at me and gloat.
They take what I wore,
they roll dice for my clothes.

Lord, do not stay far off,
you, my strength, be quick to help.
Save my neck from the sword,
save my life from the dog’s teeth,

save me from the lion’s jaw,
save me from the bull’s horns.

You hear me.

1 Peter 2:21-24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
so that, free from sins, we might live for right-
eousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Christ suffered for us
leaving us an example,
that we might walk
in his footsteps.

He did nothing wrong;
no false word
ever passed his lips.

When they cursed him
he returned no curse.
Tortured, he made no threats
but trusted in the perfect judge.

He carried our sins
in his body
to the cross,
that we might die to sin
and live for justice.
When he was wounded,
we were healed.

READING: Isaiah 52:13-15

See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted
and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as
there were many who were astonished at him ---
so marred was his appearance, beyond human
semblance, and his form beyond that of
mortals – so he shall startle many nations; kings
shall shut their mouths because of him; for that
which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall
contemplate.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried
our diseases, yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God and afflicted.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.

God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from our enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.

The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge of our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.

And you, child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.

Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace

INTERCESSIONS

Jesus, you accepted crucifixion, and by your
bruises we are healed. May we follow your
example of obedience to God’s will.

Crucified Christ, your forgiveness has no limits:
~ Immerse us in your mercy so we may
forgive as you have forgiven.


Crucified Christ, you stood without shame
before those who ridiculed and insulted you:
~ Transform bigotry, cynicism and hatred
into understanding, compassion and love.
Crucified Christ, you knew when to be silent
and when to speak:
~Give us courage and wisdom to know
when to be still and when to respond in truth.
Crucified Christ, you suffered anguish and yet
remained faithful and obedient:
~ Give us hearts true to your call and
mission, as we struggle to live in fidelity
to your word.
Crucified Christ, you commended your spirit
into the hands of your Father:
 ~ Teach all men and women such trust and
confidence in the goodness of God.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER

Christ Jesus, your love is made visible through
the mystery of your death and resurrection.
Make us one in you. Transform us into people
of mercy who reach out to embrace you in the
suffering ones in our midst. We ask this, as a
people reconciled to God through the blood of
your cross. Amen.

BLESSING

By your wounds we are healed. Amen
By your passion we are freed from sin. Amen.
By your death and rising we are born to eternal
life. Amen.


Evening Prayer is omitted by those who participate
in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.