GETHSEMANE

You, God, came to us as man, to teach us – but You, God, in Jesus, bled in Gethsemane, for we could not fathom the gift of Love. Yours sweated Holy blood and tears, which fell on stony ground. Please help the suffering children of the world. You were on Your knees, Jesus, knowing what You would endure for us! Jesus, heal those who have suffered violent deaths, especially the innocent. You prayed to Your Father – and our Father – pray now for those who, asleep, travelling through life, know You not; whose eyes are closed. Open hearts, and minds, and let their spirits leap with joy, so that Death will not have the final word. But You, Word of Life, will save us all. Thank You. Amen.

SCOURGING

Jesus, You, Son of God, were scourged by men who, consumed by hatred, fear and jealousy, were made evil and desperate. Help those who suffer from pain and torment, violence and rejection…Jesus, please help the innocent. You were innocent, wholly innocent, but took on our sin – lashed, lacerated, knocked hard to hard ground, you bore the blackness of Sin. You, Light, burn away all evil and the Devil’s ugly plans. We need You – don’t leave us to ourselves, we pray. Pride and Jealousy tried to destroy You, but nothing can stand against You! Save us, too, we pray. Thank You. Amen.

CROWN OF THORNS

Your precious, holy blood fell on stony, dusty ground. They crowned You King. Dear King of All, let Your blood fall on us – heal us, protect us, free us.

Let Your blessed blood enter our damaged hearts, our poor spirits and hurting bodies – renew us, we pray. Jesus, please let Your holy blood protect us from the Enemy of life, and allow us to drink the Wine of goodness, and the Bread of life, consume. Thank You for Your indescribable suffering, Your scandalous love, Your wonderful gifts. Amen.

CARRYING THE CROSS

Jesus, weighed down by our sins, You carried the Cross. Forgive us, we pray. You carried on Your innocent shoulders, with bleeding hands, our hatred, our lust, our violence, our killing, our pride, our denial, our lies, our indifference, our laziness, our intolerance, our rejection of You, our unforgiveness whilst You, Author of Life, wrote words of forgiveness into our cold, empty hearts – thankYou, thank You, thank You! Forgive us, we pray.

CRUCIFIXION

They nailed You to a rough-hewn Cross – hurting You even more! Scourged, crowned with thorns, they now inflicted a greater pain, excruciating and intolerable – Your suffering, truly inhumane. Satan relished such evil, for he is Death. You offered Your life, knowing that You would take it up again – for You are Life! Help us to love, not hate; to forgive, as You forgave; to walk the stony pilgrim’s path – though the smooth one seems so inviting! Help us to carry our crosses, and to help others, carry theirs; to serve You and to hope; to trust and to love the cross, for it leads us all to You. Death is not the end. The Devil has no hold over You – so free us, please, from darkness; take us into Your wonderful light! Bless us, we pray. Let not the storm engulf us, the thunder roar, the earth move, and the fire burn – envelope us in Your loving arms and save us, we pray. Thank You. Amen.