The following are a series of Scripture readings and prayers for each day of the Passion Week. May the Holy Spirit use the Word to engender within you a deeper love for Christ, a greater adoration for his suffering and sacrifice on your behalf, and a firmer conviction to extend the love of Christ to a broken world at war with itself.
March 28, Palm Sunday…
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 11:1-11
Almighty and everlasting God, who, by your tender love towards humanity did send your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross, so that all who believe might be reconciled to God and to each other; grant unto us that we might bend our stubborn hearts toward Him and to confess that He is our Lord and King so that we can become agents of his peace ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
March 29, Monday before Easter…
Romans 5:1-8
Mark 14:1-16
Almighty God, whose dear Son did not experience joy before he first suffered pain, and did not enter glory before has was crucified; mercifully grant that we would also walk in the way of the cross even in our pain, and find it to be none other than the way of life and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
March 30, Tuesday before Easter…
Isaiah 50:4-11
Mark 14:17-42
O Lord God, whose blessed Son, our Savior, gave his back to the smiters and did not hide his face from betrayal and shame; grant us grace that we might bear joyfully the affliction and injustice of this present time, knowing that we will never be separated from your love and that our suffering is discipline—not punishment of our sin, through Jesus Christ or Savior. Amen
March 31, Wednesday before Easter…
John 4:7-11
Mark 14:43-65
Assist us mercifully by the Spirit, O Lord God, that we might love others with the love whereby we have been loved by you; and may the sacrificial love of your Son move us to give ourselves away to others for the sake of the gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
April 1, Maundy Thursday…
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night he was betrayed, did institute Communion; mercifully grant that we might thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him while recognizing the responsibility to serve those around us, even those with whom we sit at table; through Jesus Christ, the Servant. Amen. {Perhaps you can gather a few friends or family members and share the Lord’s Supper together.}
April 2, Good Friday…
Hebrews 10:4-25
Mark 15:16-41
Merciful God, who made all people for yourself and for your glory and desire none to perish, but that all should come to repentance; have mercy upon those who do not know you, and lead them to the One who was lifted up, so that all might be drawn to him and become one flock under one Shepherd, even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
April 3. The Saturday before Easter…
Hebrews 13:20, 21
Mark 15:42-47
Grant, O Lord, that as we have been baptized into the death of your blessed Son, we might die to sin and the evil inclinations of our hearts, looking forward to the Blessed Hope and glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, when we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is; world without end. Amen.
Postscript: Please take this opportunity to pray for all those who will come under the preaching of the Gospel in Easter services around the world.
Just A Thought 