Today is Good Friday. I’ll be taking the rest of the day away from screens except for work. I’m working from home today, so it will be quiet anyway.
When I was a child, we spent Good Friday quietly at home. I went to Catholic school, so Good Friday was the beginning of our Easter Vacation. The house rule was no TV and no food between twelve noon and three o’clock. We could lay down, read, or play quietly. I’m not sure we understood why until much later in life, but now I cherish my parent’s gentle way of communicating the importance of Good Friday through their actions (Philippians 4:5). It was their foundational training I remember today.
What is your Good Friday practice? I hope you will also take some time to reflect on what God did for us so many years ago. His act of love, through Jesus’ death on the cross, is as real and fresh today as it was then. God still loves us without end.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
–John 3:16 (NIV)
If you’ve heard about Jesus but don’t know Him yet, please ask a friend who does, reach out to your local Bible-based church, or ask Jesus. Today is a great day to meet Him. All you have to do is invite Jesus into your heart. He already did the rest. It’s pretty straightforward, and there is no wrong way to do it. Jesus is waiting for you with wide-open arms.
Here’s a simple prayer you can use if you’re having trouble finding the words.
Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith, I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control.
In Your precious name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, be assured that you will never walk alone again. Welcome to the family. Connect with other believers, get into God’s word daily, and spend time with Jesus in prayer and thankful anticipation of what He will do in your life.
God saved you by his grace when you believed.
And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
–Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
It’s easier than ever to read the Bible. You can even have a daily verse sent to your phone or email. Here’s a shortlist of free websites, and you can go to the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (Apple) to find many free Bible apps for your phone:
I’m also posting in the Five Minute Friday linkup. The writing prompt today is GENTLE.
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html
Good Friday wasn’t part of my upbringing, but as a young family, we’re learning more about the Church calendar and coming up with ways to make the holiday connections for our kids. Looking forward to sitting with this question about how to observe Good Friday.
Hi Amanda, Blessings to your young family. I’m sure God has plans for you and He will help you make those connections. Thanks for visiting.
Good Friday wasn’t part of my faith tradition, either, but I love the idea of taking time to pause and remember what our Savoir experienced during those hours on the cross.
Hi Anita. Yes, today is about Jesus.
I was raised Catholic as well, so identify with your memories of Good Friday. I lost that through legalism, but have taken back Good Friday as a day of reflection, quiet and prayer. I pray the biblical stations of the cross, pray through and meditate on the Hallel (Psalms 113-118) and keep the day quiet.
Donna, I was raised Catholic too, and I remember going to church with my mom while she prayed through the stations of the Cross. I had forgotten about that. Ps 118 is one of my favorites because we read over and over again, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” And Amen to that!
My Good Friday practice was going to church at noon or in the evening. I loved the beauty of taking communion with the saints and us memorizing together. Deirdre FMF#3
Thank you for sharing your Good Friday practice here. I agree, there is beauty in communion with our church family. Glad you stopped by, Deirdre
Suzette, your title caught my eye because my mom quite literally met Jesus when she died on Good Friday two years ago. I love your post too … what an appropriate time to share with your readers what Easter really means, and how they can participate fully!
Lois, thank you for sharing that tender truth about your mom. And for leaving such a generous comment.