We have prepared this service to help you worship at home this Good Friday. It is based on the Stations of the Cross, a series of 14 images depicting Jesus’ journey from his trial, through the streets of the city to his place of execution, and finally to his crucifixion, death and burial.
It has its origins in mediaeval pilgrims to the Holy Land, who wished to recreate their experiences of walking the Via Dolorosa, or ‘Sorrowful Way’ in Jerusalem. Each station has a corresponding prayer and Scripture reading, and we encourage you to have times of silence where you meditate on each scene and its meaning.
You may use this at any time of the day, but traditionally Christians have worshipped between 12 noon and 3pm – the third hour, on which Christ died.
This Good Friday service is also available to download for reading or printing (PDF). Please read and meditate at your own pace, or follow the video below. You may pause for silence for whatever length of time you wish when indicated.
The Way of the Cross for Good Friday
Stations of the Cross
1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death Matthew 27:20-26
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’
So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Lord, for the times I have washed my hands of my responsibilities,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times that I have failed to have the courage to do what I know is right,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have blamed others for my actions,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, heal my memories of those occasions when I have been wrongly accused, and help me forgive those who have judged me unjustly.
Glory be to Jesus,
who in bitter pains
poured for me the life blood
from his sacred veins!
2. Jesus Takes up his Cross Matthew 27.27-31
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Lord, for the times I am disgruntled and complain about my lot,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I mock and ridicule others,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I punish others, loading them with burdens,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, of the injuries I’ve felt from the words and actions of others.
Grace and life eternal
in that blood I find,
blest be his compassion
infinitely kind!
3. Jesus Falls for the First Time Hebrews 2.17-18
Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Lord, for the times I have caused others to fall,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to show compassion,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I am no support to my brothers and sisters,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord; of the hurt my pride has suffered. Help me not to be too proud to ask forgiveness of those I have hurt.
Blest through endless ages
be the precious stream
which from endless torment
doth the world redeem.
4. Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother Luke 1.30-33
The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Lord, for the times I have not accepted your Word,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have allowed the troubles and trials of the day to get the better of me,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have been too full of my own importance,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, heal me of all fear, give me the wisdom to know your will and the strength to carry it out.
There the fainting spirit
drinks of life her fill;
there, as in a fountain,
laves herself at will.
5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross Matthew 27.32
As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.
Lord, for the times I have failed to carry other people’s burdens,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to share whatever you have given me,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I do not welcome strangers,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, heal my lack of openness to others. Help me to make the first move to welcome others.
Abel’s blood for vengeance
pleaded to the skies;
but the blood of Jesus
for our pardon cries.
6. Veronica Wipes the face of Jesus Matthew 25.35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Lord, for the times I fail to see you in my neighbour,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to see the needs of others,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to show hospitality,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal, me Lord, of the prejudice that prevents me from reaching out to others.
Oft as earth exulting
wafts its praise on high,
angel hosts, rejoicing,
make their glad reply.
7. Jesus Falls the Second Time Isaiah 53. 5-6
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Lord, for the times I have wounded others,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have preferred to go my own way,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have exaggerated the faults of others,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, of all resentment. Help me to bring your peace and healing to those I have wounded.
Lift ye then your voices;
swell the mighty flood;
louder still and louder
praise the precious blood.
8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem Luke 23.27-28
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
Lord, for the times that I fail to comfort those in need,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I am lacking in generosity,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I do not listen to people,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, fill me with your healing love, each moment of my life. Fill me with your love so that I might share it with others.
It is a thing most wonderful,
almost too wonderful to be,
that God’s own Son should come from heaven,
and die to save a child like me.
9. Jesus Fall for the Third Time 1 Peter 2.22-24
‘He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.’
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Lord, for the times I have accused others falsely,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have been untruthful,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I have retaliated unjustly,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal, me Lord of all insults that have broken me. Help me, Lord, to be gentle with others.
And yet I know that it is true:
he chose a poor and humble lot,
and wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died,
for love of those who loved him not.
10. Jesus is Stripped of his Garments John 19.23-24
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another: ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says, ‘They divided my clothes among themselves,and for my clothing they cast lots.’
Lord, for my immodest thoughts and actions,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the sharpness of my tongue,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for my impatience with others,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, of all that I am ashamed. Drive all evil far from me, Lord.
I cannot tell how he would love
a child so weak and full of sin;
his love must be most wonderful,
if he could die my love to win.
11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross Luke 23. 33-34
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Lord, for the times I fail to forgive others,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I crucify others,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I turn my back on you,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, of all my jealousy, of all that binds and crushes me.
I sometimes think about the cross,
and shut my eyes, and try to see
the cruel nails and crown of thorns
and Jesus crucified for me.
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross Luke 23.44-46
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last.
Lord, for the times I fail to give myself to you,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to commit myself to others,
Christ, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, with the power of your Spirit. May you so live in me that I may be used to give new life to those around me.
But even could I see him die,
I could but see a little part
of that great love, which, like a fire,
is always burning in his heart.
13. Jesus’ Body is removed from the Cross John. 19.38
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body.
Lord, for the times I fail to turn to you for healing,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to admit that I know you,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times my silence and inaction have offended or misled others,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, of all humiliation. Make of me the person you want me to be.
It is most wonderful to know
his love for me so free and sure;
but ’tis more wonderful to see
my love for him so faint and poor.
14. Jesus’ Body is Laid in the Tomb John 19: 40-42
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Lord, for the times I fail to trust the power of your Resurrection,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I fail to respect the thoughts and customs of others.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, for the times I disturb the peace you came to bring,
Lord, have mercy.
Heal me, Lord, with the peace and joy of your love. Use me to bring your healing to my brothers and sisters.
And yet I want to love thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
and I will love thee more and more,
until I see thee as thou art.
The trial: Mark 15:1–24
No one asked him …
not the Chief Priest
or his bought judges,
though fear would have deafened them;
not the governor,
balancing political options on his decision;
not the mob:
pockets full of nightmares,
stomachs full of poverty,
voices brimming with bile,
no goodness or mercy flowing over
their cupped hands;
no one asked him,
but don’t you think Jesus himself
would have said
(maybe even whispered to himself):
‘Give them Barabbas.’
The Collect
Almighty Father,
look with mercy on this your family
for which our Lord Jesus Christ
was content to be betrayed
and given up into the hands of sinners
and to suffer death upon the cross;
who is alive and glorified
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
