There are many ways to observe Good Friday, the day that commemorates Jesus\u2019 crucifixion, His willing sacrifice for the sins of the world.<\/p>\n
Some people will participate in special worship services. Some churches will host three hours of prayer and worship intended to reflect the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. Some people will fast. Others will pray through the Stations of the Cross.<\/p>\n
Whatever you may do, consider praying through the \u201cSeven Words\u201d Jesus uttered during His agony. Here is a way to do that:<\/p>\n
1) Extend forgiveness.<\/strong> 2) Pray for others to draw closer to God.<\/strong> 3) Pray for those in need.<\/strong> 4) Pray for the lonely.<\/strong> 5) Pray for those in pain.<\/strong> 6) Place yourself in God\u2019s hands.<\/strong> 7) Give thanks for Jesus\u2019 once-for-all sacrifice.<\/strong> However else you may observe Good Friday, make it a day of prayer and gratitude, as exemplified in the \u201cseven words from the cross.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are many ways to observe Good Friday, the day that commemorates Jesus\u2019 crucifixion, His willing sacrifice for the sins of the world. Some people will participate in special worship services. Some churches will host three hours of prayer and worship intended to reflect the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. Some people will fast. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":30811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[251],"tags":[71,14,72,80],"ppma_author":[465],"class_list":["post-24344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-pray","tag-easter","tag-spiritual-growth","tag-stories-of-faith","tag-stories-of-hope"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIn the midst of His execution, Jesus prayed for those whose very actions would cause not only His pain but also His death: \u201cFather, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing\u201d<\/em> (Luke 23:34, NIV). So, like Jesus, pray for those who have hurt you or offended you and ask for the grace to forgive and to keep on forgiving, as often and as long as necessary.<\/p>\n
\nTo the repentant thief who was crucified next to Him, Jesus said, \u201cTruly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise\u201d<\/em> (Luke 23:43, NIV). How fitting that even as He was dying, Jesus was escorting someone into eternal life. So take a few moments on your Good Friday to pray for those among your family and friends who have not yet experienced the love and life that is found through faith in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
\nJohn\u2019s Gospel records Jesus taking the time and effort\u2014from the cross!\u2014to place His mother, Mary, into the care of His faithful follower, John: \u201cWoman, here is your son\u201d<\/em> (John 19:26, NIV). That striking and intimate detail reminds us that Jesus cares for our practical wellbeing. So, like Jesus, who asked John to care for Mary, take thought on Good Friday for others and pray for the practical needs of those around you.<\/p>\n
\nWhen Jesus cried out from the cross, \u201cMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?\u201d<\/em> (Mark 15:34, NIV), He was echoing the abandonment and desperation of the messianic Psalm 22. That loneliness afflicts many in your community, and perhaps even in your church and family. So spend some time praying for the lonely people around you and ask Jesus to make Himself known to them and be especially close to them.<\/p>\n
\nJesus experienced extreme dehydration while on the cross. His thirst would have been excruciating (that word itself comes from the horrors of crucifixion). So He cried out, \u201cI thirst!\u201d <\/em>(John 19:28, NKJV). Let Jesus\u2019 shortest saying from the cross prompt prayers for those who are in pain\u2014those in the hospital, in rehab, in sick beds or undergoing treatment.<\/p>\n
\nJesus quoted another psalm (31:5) when He prayed, \u201cFather, into Your hands I commit My spirit\u201d<\/em> (Luke 23:46, NIV). There is no better time than Good Friday to consciously and reverently place yourself in God\u2019s hands\u2014to surrender anew your spirit, your life, your concerns, your future, your hopes and dreams into His loving and omnipotent care.<\/p>\n
\nJesus\u2019 last words on the cross\u2014\u201cIt is finished!\u201d<\/em> (John 19:30, NIV)\u2014are rich in meaning. At that very hour\u2014perhaps that very moment\u2014the Pascal Lamb was killed in the Temple. As the high priest sacrificed the lamb, he spoke a single word in Hebrew\u2014Kalah\u2014signifying the ultimate sacrifice of the day. The word means \u201cIt is finished.\u201d Jesus, with His dying breath, identified Himself as \u201cChrist, our Passover lamb\u201d (1 Corinthians 5:7). The work is done. There is no work left for you to do. Nothing to prove. Nothing to earn. No striving. No \u201ctry,\u201d only \u201ctake.\u201d So give thanks.<\/p>\n