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Private Meditations for Good Friday

Suggested by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

People of the church are often prone to come to the church for private prayer on Good Friday, especially during the hours on which our Lord hung on the cross, noon to 3 pm.  To assist people in their devotions, I generally prepare a table in the narthex with bibles and the following list of suggested meditations from scripture, service and song.  Please note the page numbers that I have included beside the scripture readings to assist those unfamiliar with the bible.   You will need to adjust those for the bibles that you have available.  Hymn references are for Evangelical Lutheran Worship, with Lutheran Book of Worship numbers in parenthesis.

In Scripture:

The Passion according to St. Matthew
     Chapters 26 and 27 New Testament, p.27

The Passion according to St. Mark
     Chapters 14 and 15 New Testament, p.48

The Passion according to St. Luke
     Chapters 22 and 23 New Testament, p.81

The Passion according to St. John
     Chapters 18 and 19 New Testament, p.106

Psalms 6, 22, 31, 36, 38, 51, 54, 71, 88, 103, 130 Old Testament, p.495ff

Isaiah 53 Old Testament, p.700

In Hymns & Poetry:

"Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed"  ELW 337 (LBW #98)

"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth"  ELW #340 (LBW #105)

"Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle"  ELW #155 (LBW #118)

"Jesus, I will Ponder Now"  ELW #345 (LBW #115)

"Go to Dark Gethsemane"  ELW #347 (LBW#109)

Hymns for Lent ELW #319-343  (LBW #91-107)

Hymns for Holy Week ELW #344-360 (LBW #108-127)

In Prayer:

"The Way of the Cross" by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel

Prayers for Good Friday,  ELW p.31  (LBW p.20)

Prayers for Holy Week,  ELW pp.30-31  (LBW pp.19-20)

Topical Prayers, Intercessions,  ELW pp.72-87 (LBW pp.42-51)

The Great Litany,  ELW #238  (LBW p.168)