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Good Friday Resource for April 22, 2011
- art by He Qi
Good Friday is the holy day on which we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. At First Church, we will observe this day with a simple time of scripture reading, prayer, and silence at noon. If you are unable to join us at church, we invite you to use this resource as a guide for observance at home. Below are just a few suggestions for practice, reading, meditation, and prayer; please draw from it as you see fit.
Family Resources for Holy Week
Make a prayer table at home
Lent and Holy Week are a time of increased reflection and prayer and making new habits of prayer. A family prayer table invites the practice of prayer at home and is a physical reminder that God doesn’t “live” at church! You can use it as formally or casually as you wish. It is a place for shared family prayer/contemplation or individual time. Perhaps start a ritual of gathering at the table before or after dinner for a few moments of candle-lighting, prayers for the world, and shared quiet. The prayer table should include a few items to show that it is a special place:
Member Lenten Reflections: 7
Xan Laurence contributed her thoughts on prayer and an old hymn from childhood. Thank you, Xan…
My heart an altar?
I am not a prayer.
More accurately, I am not a pray-er. I am not one who prays, much, except in the “Please, God” sense – “Please, God, let me find a parking space”; “Please, God, let me not be late”; “Please, God, let me win the lottery”… Even an occasion which perhaps should have evoked a prayer – a narrowly avoided car crash – instead found me repeating, “Oh, $#!+, oh $#!+” for as long as it took to avoid hitting anything and regain control of my vehicle.
Member Lenten Reflections: 6
Jean Anderson wrote this piece on the meaning of prayer in her life. Thanks, Jean!
Paying Attention
Every night, when I lay me down to sleep, I say a prayer. There’s not much to it; for myself, I ask only for strength, courage, confidence, and other qualities I need but do not possess. I often add prayers for the survivors of devastating natural disasters, or for friends and family members who are going through difficult times. No matter how sleepy I am, and no matter where I am, I don’t skip this small nightly ritual. It would feel strange not to pray before sleep.
Member Lenten Reflections: 5
Maggie George wrote this piece about a powerful encounter with God’s presence.
It was a Dark and Stormy Night
Member Lenten Reflections: 4
Many thanks to Cynthia Hobbie for this thoughtful reflection on prayer.
Prayer, an Enigma
"Prayer Painting" by Kitty Pechet
For years I have struggled to understand what prayer is, where it comes from and where it goes. Is it an anguished cry in a moment of frustration or deep insecurity? Is worrying a prayer? Is it that breathlessness that comes when one is looking at a beautiful piece of art or listening to music? Is it sharing a moment of laughter with someone you love? What does saying the “Lord’s Prayer” with others in worship mean? What does it mean when someone says they will pray for you? I have approached the meaning of prayer and circled around it, but honestly, I just don’t get it.
Member Lenten reflections: 3
Thanks to Russ Hobbie for this photograph of prayer flags on St. Simon’s Island, GA.
Member Lenten reflections: 2
This beautiful post comes from Kris Felbeck, who writes about the profound experience of loss and grief in the family.
In Fall 2000 my father was dying.
Member Lenten reflections on prayer: 1
Thanks to Kathy Haskins for contributing the first selection, a poem written for the occasion of Ash Wednesday.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ashes to ashes and
Dust to dust
Star dust and Earth dust we are
Fistfuls
Of death come to fleeting life