Good Friday Prayers of the People
There are days when we feel like crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet, even on those days, we can still express our heart’s longing in prayer. So, we pray to our God of love and hope by offering, “O God, receive our prayer.”
All sing: VU 948 “O God, hear our prayer” (Use plural instead of singular by changing my to our, etc.)
Loving God, you are the creator and the ruler of the universe, and yet you have chosen to appear in Jesus and suffer and die on the cross. In Christ, you experienced the sorrow and pain of living a human life here on earth. When we experience all the hardships of life, you are with us. When we grieve at the injustices, you cry with us. When we lose courage in the presence of hopelessness, you despair with us. Remind us that you are indeed with us even as we want to cry in the nighttime of our fear: “Why have you forsaken me?” O God, receive our prayers.
All sing: VU 948 “O God, hear our prayer”
O Christ, we mourn with you as we witness you being crucified even to this day. We notice you sacrificed on the high altar of mighty profit. We notice you hanging on a tree of racism. We witness you nailed to the cross of hatred. We witness you sleeping on the concrete pavement in the city of affluence. We notice your wounded body in the crowded emergency wards and desolate alleys. We notice you wounded and dying in war-torn countries. O God, who suffered on the cross, how much longer will you simply cry with us? Instill in us a sense of hope and enough courage to act with compassion. O God, receive our prayers.
All sing: VU 948 “O God, hear our prayer”
O Holy Spirit, comfort our hearts as they mourn for the world that is not what we would like it to be. Nourish those who are hungry for food, for love, and for justice. Comfort those who are having a hard time with life. Bring healing to those who are suffering from ill health and mental anguish, as well as those who live in spiritual emptiness. May your indomitable spirit of life penetrate into our hearts, our bodies, and our souls. By our living, may we proclaim with confidence that you are alive and well in the universe. O God, receive our prayers.
All sing: VU 948 “O God, hear our prayer”
Trusting in your goodness and your unfailing love for all of us, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Won Hur, while at Parkwoods U.C., Don Mills, Ont.
