Prayer for Each Day

Holy Week 2

Song

Psalm

With all my voice I cry to you, Lord,
with all my voice I entreat you, Lord.
I pour out my trouble before you;
I tell you all my distress
while my spirit faints within me.
But you, O Lord, know my path.

On the way where I shall walk
they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
Look on my right and see:
there is no one who takes my part.
I have no means of escape,
not one who cares for my soul.

I cry to you, O Lord,
I have said, “You are my refuge,
all I have in the land of the living.”
Listen, then, to my cry
for I am in the depths of distress.

Rescue me from those who pursue me
for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of this prison
and then I shall praise your name.
Around me the just will assemble
because of your goodness to me.

Reading

Paul wrote: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

or

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (...) During supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. (...) After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Song

Silence

Litany of praise

Let us contemplate Jesus the Lord: instead of the joy meant for him, he endured the cross, disregarding its disgrace.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

O Jesus Christ, born in humility to confound the proud and to raise the humble,
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

You lived among us, healing the sick, proclaiming Good News to the poor and freedom to prisoners.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

You came to unbind the chains of every slavery, friend of the humble, bread of hungry hearts,
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

Jesus, full of patience and goodness, you showed forgiveness and kindness to the very end.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you call to yourself all who are weary and burdened.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

Jesus, you came into the world to serve and to give your life; you were betrayed for money, dragged before judges and nailed to the cross.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

Jesus, Lord of the universe, by your resurrection from the dead you are alive at the Father’s side and there you prepare a place for us.
—We worship you, Lord, upon the cross.

Our Father

Prayer

God of all loving, you always welcome us. Why should we wait for our hearts to be changed in order to live for you? You offer all we need to soothe and heal our wounds.

or

Bless us, Lord Christ; you burn away the trials of life in the fire of your presence.

Songs