Good Friday Prayer

I have written this opening prayer for Good Friday. It is to be a sort of 'telling the story' and reflective piece.

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering,

wondering why, why you had to die

Is it only Sunday we watched

watched as you rode, rode triumphant on a donkey

triumphant into Jerusalem,

triumphant as Messiah and Lord?

The crowds welcomed you cheering

“Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”,

waving palm branches and coats on the road before you.

At the foot of the cross, that seems so far away.

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we have watched you teach, you heal, you lead

and we have followed, followed you here,

here to where it all ends, wondering

why, why does it have to end like this

end, at the foot of the cross?

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we were there when you walked on water and fed the fivethousand.

Yet now, those same hands and feet are blooded,

blooded and pierced with cruel nails

why, why does it have to end like this,

end at the foot of the cross?

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we were there, there sharing the meal with you, sharing in that upstairs room.

The bread we shared was your body

the wine we shared your blood.

Now we watch at the foot of the cross

your body broken, broken for us?

your blood pouring out, poured out for us?

Why, why does it have to end like this,

end at the foot of the cross?

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we were there in the garden,

watching as you prayed,

prayed in the garden where you were betrayed,

betrayed by one you loved so much

why, why does it have to end like this,

end at the foot of the cross?

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we were there at your trial,

watching, watching for you, an innocent man to be set free.

We were there, there as the crowd

the same crowd who welcomed you, welcomed you with Hosannas

Welcomed you only on Sunday

condemned you to die

why, why does it have to end like this,

end at the foot of the cross?

Holy and almighty God

we are here, here at the foot of the cross wondering

wondering why, why you had to die

we were there when you told us the temple would be destroyed,

destroyed and you would rebuild it in three days.

Is this the temple, the temple there on the cross?

The temple pierced and wounded, scared and humiliated?

How, how can this be rebuilt in three days?

How, oh Lord our God, how?

Here, at the foot of the cross.

Amen