These prayers have been prepared by Fr Christopher Warren from St Mary’s Church Hexham. Everyone is encouraged to pray these prayers together through Holy Week.

Prayer for Holy Week

Lord Jesus,
This Holy Week we follow you on your sorrowful and glorious journey,
your journey to the Cross and Resurrection.
Today we ask that we may walk with you,
give us grace to see the deep love you show us.
As you were welcomed with joy and acclaim to the Holy City,
your betrayal by the crowds soon overwhelmed their cries of Hosanna.
On the Cross, you made yourself servant taking the sins of the world upon yourself.
May our lives reflect your desire to serve God our Father first; 
that we may serve you in our brothers and sisters.
When we face suffering and disappointment, may we know your love.
When we are feeling lost, may we know that you are with us.
When we are worried, may your Cross be a sign of hope and strength.
May this Holy Week be for us a time of renewal in faith and love.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Good Friday

God our Father,
Jesus, your son and our brother shares in our human nature.
Whilst we sometimes fall and stumble along the path of our lives,
His love for us never falters, so much does he love us.
Today, we remember the journey he walked to the Cross,
a journey of love and self-sacrifice to fulfil your will
and to show us the depths of your love.
As he carried the Cross for us,
He lifted us from sin and death.
As he was nailed to the Cross for us,
He revealed your love.
As He died on the Cross for us,
He opened the door to eternal life for all.
May we be renewed in faith and love this Good Friday,
May we make our lives a blessing for others
following His example.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Prayer for Easter Sunday

God Our Father,
As the darkness of night is dispelled by the rising sun,
to the tomb with Mary and Magdalen we walk.
Let the darkness of our world be cast away by the New Light.  
The stone which sealed your Son’s body in death is displaced,
for love has conquered sin and death.
Today, Jesus has risen from the dead!
May His love inspire us to walk in hope,
To love and to serve, to forgive and to welcome.
May all who believe in Him know His joy in their hearts today.
In every time and place, may we bear witness to this hope of eternal life
and alive in its power seek to love above all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen