As we have journey through Lent we have been headed for the cross. We wrap up the season of fasting with a community fast. Please fast and pray with us during this time. From 6 AM to 6 PM on Friday and Saturday to avoid food as you are able, but please drink water! On Sunday morning please fast and pray before the service. Here are some suggestions for prayer.
Good Friday: Focus on Jesus’s service and sacrifice
On this day we reflect on the arrest, trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus. We give thanks for the display of love that Jesus gives on the cross. Love and obedience to God and love and service to us. In the last supper through the cross we see Jesus serving others with the deepest form of love. Here are some things to think about and pray about:
- What does it mean to be loved so deeply, unconditionally by God, more than we can possibly imagine?
- Jesus gives us a new commandment – “love one another as I have loved you” – and an example of a leader who serves. This radical example of service goes beyond what was necessary. How might I ‘wash the feet’ of others in the spirit of Jesus’ humility and compassion, even if it means making sacrifices or going beyond my comfort zone? What is the way of love Jesus has marked out for me, is calling me to?
- Jesus gives himself to us, to be our food for the journey of faith, to nourish and sustain us as we live our lives of service in his name. Transformed by this gift, how can I help to nourish and sustain others, especially the poor, the outcast, the oppressed?
- Is there an area of my life which is my own Gethsemane, my desert, my time of desolation? Am I aware that Jesus is with me?
- Today we see Jesus suffering, rejected, ridiculed and desolate, deserted by his friends and denied by Peter. Out of love for us, to save us from sin and bring us to new life. Are there times/situations when I deny Jesus? Am I aware that he always forgives me and invites me to return and say “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you!”?
- Jesus is led to his death, with people jeering at him. Every day he walks past me in the street, in each and every person. Do I recognize him and show interest? Do I jeer at others, even inwardly, or do I sympathize with them, share their pain? Am I called upon to be Simon of Cyrene? How can I help Jesus to carry his cross by stepping forward to help others carry theirs and walking the road of justice? How can I welcome opportunities to be Simon for others, to make my own journey one of fruitful service?
- Meditate on this hymn verse:
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
From Beneath the Cross of Jesus, Elizabeth Cecelia Clephane
Saturday – Focus on dying to self
On this day we focus on Jesus in the tomb. We know that in that in between space of the crucifixion and the resurrection that Jesus entered fully into death so that he could remove from us the stain and results of sin. He went as far as sin can take us in order to return us to where God wants us to be. But, we must enter into the silence, grief and darkness that comes with Christ’s death as we wait for the good news of resurrection.
- Galatians 2:20 says “For I was crucified with Christ and I no longer live. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” In this time in between the crucifixion and Easter, what does this mean to be crucified with Christ? What does it mean for us to be in the tomb with him?
- What needs transforming in my life? Do I need to seek forgiveness?
- Where do we see the brokenness of Christ in our community/church/world? Where does death/sin still have a hold on us, our church our world? Where does darkness seem to have victory?
- To be a disciple we must be willing to deny ourselves and carry our cross. Where is your cross? Do you need help carrying your cross?
- Almighty, ever-living God, whose Only-begotten Son descended to the realm of the dead, and rose from there to glory, grant that your faithful people, who were buried with him in baptism, may, by his resurrection, obtain eternal life.
- Meditate on this hymn verse
What language shall I borrow To thank thee, dearest Friend
For this, thy dying sorrow Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever And should I fainting be
Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to thee
From O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Sunday – Focus on Living the Life in the Light
It’s Easter – Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Celebrate that victory! Celebrate and choose life.
- Praise God for the gift of life and the opportunity for a new start
- Praise God for the gift of grace and the knowledge of God’s love and forgiveness
- Praise God for the gift of freedom in Christ, freedom from sin and from the law
- Pray for our church to bear witness to the power of the resurrection with our life, love and community
- Pray that we are able to choose life rather than death, discouragement and judgement (of each other and ourselves)
- Pray that we are able to cultivate God’s values in the world, that we can nurture a community of disciples and that we can build bridges into our life circles, our neighbourhood and the global village
- Pray that we can practice hospitality, make disciples, develop leaders and focus outward!
- “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” What does the light of Christ mean to you this Easter? What darkness is it dispelling?
- How can we take the light of the risen Christ and the Alleluia song of God’s Easter people into the world around us? How can I be a source of light for others?
- After the fasting of Lent, how can I continue to celebrate the joyful feast of Easter for the whole season of fifty days?
- Mediate on this hymn verse
In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
Stuart Townsend, In Christ Alone
Many of these questions were taken from “Questions for reflection during Holy Week“
