Good Friday

Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Opening PrayerA. Remember your mercies, O Lord,and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants,for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood,established the Paschal Mystery.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God for ever and ever.

B. O God, who by the Passion of Christ your Son, our Lord, abolished the death inherited from ancient sinby every succeeding generation,grant that just as, being conformed to him, we have borne by the law of nature the image of the man of earth,so by the sanctification of gracewe may bear the image of the Man of heaven.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

C. From the throne of grace, O God of mercy,at the hour your Son gave himself to death,hear the devout prayer of your people.As he is lifted high upon the cross,draw into his exalted life all who are rebornin the blood and water flowing from his opened side.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 Heb 4:14 – 16, 5:7 – 9 Jn 18:1 – 19:42

General Intercessions

1a. For the Church throughout the world Let us pray, dear friends,for the holy Church of God throughout the world, that God will guide it and gather it together, so that we may worship the Father in tranquillity and peace.

Almighty and eternal God, in Christ your Sonyou revealed your glory to nation upon nation.Safeguard the great work of your mercy,that your Church throughout the worldmay persevere with unshakeable faithin confessing your holy name.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1b. For Holy ChurchLet us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy Church of God,that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace,to guard her and to unite her throughout the whole worldand grant that, leading our life in tranquillity and quiet,we may glorify God the Father almighty.

Almighty ever-living God,who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations,watch over the works of your mercy,that your Church, spread throughout all the world,may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name.Through Christ our Lord.

1c. For all congregations of Christians. ……….We pause in silent prayerGenerous God, guide the work of your Church in all places and all forms, and help it bring your message of wholeness to all peoples. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ.

2a. For the Pope Let us pray also for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, that God, who has chosen him for the office of bishop, will keep him in health and strength for the sake of the Church to guide and govern the holy people of God.

Almighty and eternal God, whose wisdom orders all things,protect with your love the shepherd you have chosen,that the Christian people you entrust to his caremay under his leadership prosper in faith.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2b For the PopeLet us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope …..,that our God and Lord,who chose him for the Order of Bishops,may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church, to govern the holy People of God.

Almighty ever-living God, by whose decree all things are founded, look with favour on our prayersand in your kindness protect the Pope chosen for us,that, under him, the Christian people, governed by you their maker, may grow in merit by reason of their faith.Through Christ our Lord.

2c For all Church Leaders. ……………………We pause in silent prayerE te Atua, in your love protect and guide all Church leaders. Under their leadership with your guidance may we all be

lead to a deeper faith and spiritual awareness. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ.3a. For the ministers and people of the ChurchLet us pray also for ……. our bishop,for all bishops, priests, and deacons,and for all God’s holy people.Almighty and eternal God,by whose Spirit the Church is ruled and made holy,hear the prayers we offer for those you have called to ministry and for your entire people,that by your grace we may all serve you faithfully.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3b. For all orders and degrees of the faithfulLet us pray also for our Bishop…….,for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Churchand for the whole of the faithful people.

Almighty ever-living God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed, hear our humble prayer for your ministers, that, by the gift of your grace,all may serve you faithfully. Through Christ our Lord

3c For God’s pilgrim people. ………We pause in silent prayerGod of all goodness, help each of us in our varied vocations in life. Enliven us to be ministers of love, wholeness, and integrity in all that we do. We ask this through Jesus the Christ.

4a For those preparing for baptismLet us pray also for [our] catechumens,that God will open their ears and their heartsand unlock for them the gates of divine mercy,so that through the waters of rebirththey may receive pardon for their sinsand find new life in Christ Jesus.

Almighty and eternal God,by whom the Church is continually blessed with new members, deepen the faith and understanding of all catechumens, that, being reborn in the font of baptism,they may take their place among your adopted children.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4b For catechumensLet us pray also for (our) catechumens,that our God and Lord may open wide the ears of their inmost hearts and unlock the gates of his mercy,that, having received forgiveness of all their sinsthrough the waters of rebirth,they, too, may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord.

Almighty ever-living God, who make your Church ever fruitful with new offspring, increase the faith and understanding of (our) catechumens, that, reborn in the font of Baptism, they may be added to the number of your adopted children. Through Christ our Lord.

4c For those on the journey into the faith community. [Catechmens]……………..We pause in silent prayerGod of our lives, your community of believers is ever fruitful with new followers. Bless those who are on the journey of faith. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord

5a For the unity of Christians Let us pray also for those who share our faith in Jesus Christ, that God will gather together and keep in one Church all who seek to live by the truth.

Almighty and eternal God, by whom the dispersed are gathered and kept together as one, look lovingly on the flock of your Son, that all who have been sealed by one baptismmay be joined together by wholeness of faith and preserved in fellowship by the bond of love. We ask this through….5b For the unity of ChristiansLet us pray also for all our brothers and sisters who believe in Christ, that our God and Lord may be pleased,as they live the truth, to gather them together and keep them in his one Church.Almighty ever-living God, who gather what is scatteredand keep together what you have gathered,look kindly on the flock of your Son,that those whom one Baptism has consecratedmay be joined together by integrity of faithand united in the bond of charity. Through Christ our Lord.

5c For the unity of Christians.…………..We pause in silent prayerGod of all, look kindly on all those who follow Jesus your Son. Grant us unity of mind, heart and love that we may present a unified picture of your care. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ.

6a For the Jewish peopleLet us pray also for the Jewish people,the first to hear the word of God,that they will grow in the love of God’s nameand in faithfulness to the covenant.

Almighty and eternal God, who long ago chose Abraham and his descendants and established them as children of the promise, hear the prayers of your Church,that the people you first made your ownmay arrive at the fullness of redemption.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

6b For the Jewish peopleLet us pray also for the Jewish people,to whom the Lord our God spoke first,that he may grant them to advance in love of his nameand in faithfulness to his covenant.

Almighty ever-living God, who bestowed your promises on Abraham and his descendants, graciously hear the prayers of your Church, that the people you first made your ownmay attain the fullness of redemption. Through Christ our Lord.

6c For the Jewish people. ……………..We pause in silent prayerGod of all time, you gave your promises to Abraham and his descendants. Hold close those who first dedicated their lives to you. We make this prayer with great dedication & respect.

7a For those who do not share our faith in Christ Let us pray also for those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ, that the light of the Holy Spirit will guide them toward the path of salvation.

Almighty and eternal God,grant that those who do not believe in Christ,but who walk before you in sincerity of heart,may find the truth. Make our love for each other growand draw us more deeply into the mystery of salvation,that we may bear before the worlda more perfect witness to your love.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

7b For those who do not believe in ChristLet us pray also for those who do not believe in Christ,that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit,they, too, may enter on the way of salvation.

Almighty ever-living God,grant to those who do not confess Christthat, by walking before you with a sincere heart,they may find the truth and that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world. Through Christ our Lord. 7c For those who do not believe in Christ.……………..We pause in silent prayer God of light, help those who do not believe in Christ to find the truth as they walk with sincerity in their hearts. We ask this through Christ Jesus the Lord.8a For those who do not believe in GodLet us pray also for those who do not believe in God, that they will come to a knowledge of God through their wholehearted seeking of all that is right.

Almighty and eternal God,you implanted in the human heartsuch a deep longing for yourselfthat only in you can peace be found.Grant that, despite the obstacles which stand in the way,all may recognise the signs of your goodness,discern the holiness of your people,and so gladly acknowledge youas the one true God and Father of us all.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

8b For those who do not believe in GodLet us pray also for those who do not acknowledge God,that, following what is right in sincerity of heart,they may find the way to God himself.

Almighty ever-living God, who created all people

to seek you always by desiring you and, by finding you, come to rest, grant, we pray, that, despite every harmful obstacle, all may recognize the signs of your fatherly loveand the witness of the good works done by those who believe in you, and so in gladness confess you,the one true God and Father of our human race.Through Christ our Lord.

8c For those who do not believe in God.……………..We pause in silent prayerGod of creation, help those who do not believe in You to seek goodness in the many gifts of creation that speak of You. We make our plea through Christ the Lord.

9a For those who serve in public officeLet us pray also for those who serve in public office, that God will direct their minds and hearts in accordance with his will to ensure true peace and freedom.

Almighty and eternal God, whose hand upholds the rights and aspirations of all, guide those in authority, that people everywhere on earth may enjoy prosperity, freedom of worship, and the security of peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

9b For those in public office Let us pray also for those in public office,that our God and Lordmay direct their minds and hearts according to his willfor the true peace and freedom of all.

Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favour, we pray,

on those who govern with authority over us, that throughout the whole world, the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace, and freedom of religion may through your gift be made secure. Through Christ our Lord.

9c For all in public office.…………….We pause in silent prayerGod our guide, in your goodness watch over those in authority so that peoples everywhere may enjoy freedom, peace and justice. We ask this through Jesus the Christ.10a For all those in need Finally, dear friends, let us pray that Godwill rid the world of falsehood and error,dispel disease and famine from the face of the earth, break the fetters of captives,grant safe passage to travellers and those far from home,restore health to the sick,and give salvation to the dying.

Almighty and eternal God,comfort of the afflicted and strength of the weary,hear the voices of those who cry to you in distressand grant that all may rejoice,because your mercy attended them in their hour of need.We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

10b For those in tribulationLet us pray, dearly beloved, to God the Father almighty,that he may cleanse the world of all errors,banish disease, drive out hunger,unlock prisons, loosen fetters,granting to travellers safety, to pilgrims return,health to the sick, and salvation to the dying.

Almighty ever-living God,comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil,

may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulationcome before you, that all may rejoice,because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand. Through Christ our Lord.

10c For world peace.……………….We pause in silent prayerGod of peace, hear the prayers of your people who suffer from strife and war. Give them the peace they need by teaching all to live in peace with each other. We ask this through Christ, our Lord of peace.VENERATION OF THE CROSS

Dismissal

God of all understanding, may abundant blessing, we pray, descend upon your people,who have honoured the Death of your Sonin the hope of their Resurrection:may peace come, comfort be given, holy faith increase,and everlasting redemption be made secure.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hush…

….and we ponder

….and we wait

Hush…