Rev. Isaac Yaw Baah – Good Friday

1st WORD OF FORGIVENESS – LUKE 23:32-34 People: Almighty God, to whom your crucified Son prayed for forgiveness of those who did not know what they were doing, grant that we, too, may be included in that prayer. Whenever we sin out of ignorance of inten- tion be merciful to us and grant us your acceptance and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, our suffering Savior. Amen.

2nd WORD OF SALVATION – LUKE 23: 39-43 Leader: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” People: O Lord Jesus Christ, who promised to the repent- ant the joy of Paradise enable us by the Holy Spirit to re- pent and to receive your grace in this world and in the world to come. Amen.

3rd WORD OF AFFECTION – JOHN 19: 25B-27 Leader: “Woman, behold your son, son behold your moth- er” People: O Blessed Savior, who in your hour of greatest suffering expressed compassion for your mother and made arrangement for her care, grant that we who seek to follow your example may show our concern for the needs of others, reaching out to provide for those who suffer in our human family. Hear our prayer for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

4th WORD OF ANGUISH – MATTHEW 27: 45-47 Leader: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” People: O Lord, I call for help by day, and in the night I still must cry. Regard me, listen to my prayer. My soul is troubled; I am weak, cut off as one whom you for- sake, forgotten near the pit of death. Your wrath weighs heavy on me here. Your angry waves upon me break. Friends watch in horror from afar. I am shut in without escape. My eyes are dim because I weep. My hands are lifted up to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Can graves tell out your mighty deeds? There, who can know that you save? Lord, do not hide your face from me. Your flood of anger closes in. The darkness is my closest friend shunned and forsaken, all alone. Amen.

  6th WORD OF VICTORY – JOHN 19: 29-30 Leader: “It is finished” People: O lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work that you were sent to do, enable us by the Holy Spirit to be faithful to our call. Grant us strength to bear our cross- es, endure our sufferings, even unto death. Enable us to live and love so faithfully that we also become good news to the world, joining your witness, O Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.