Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
Leader		There are fourteen stations in which Jesus’ last moments of life on earth are told. United with Jesus, we pray these stations together.
All		Amen.
THE STATIONS (The reader parts can be read by one or several readers.)
Reader		The first station: Jesus, Pilate gave in to the crowd’s cries for your crucifixion.
All		Jesus, help me to not give in to those who would have me do wrong.
Reader		The second station: Jesus, you had a very heavy cross to carry, yet you took it up without complaining.
All		Jesus help me to complain less about things I have to do.
Reader		The third station: Jesus, you fell under your cross. The soldiers were mean and impatient with you.
All		Jesus, help me to accept my failures and to continue on.
Reader		The fourth station: Your mother, Mary, was there when you needed her.
All		Jesus, help me to be there for someone who needs me.
Reader		The fifth station: Simon, who helped you carry your cross, could be any one of us because you, Jesus, call on all of us.
All		Jesus help me to be helpful to others.
Reader		The sixth station: Veronica was brave enough to step forward and wipe your face, Jesus.
All		Jesus, give me the courage to sacrifice my own wants and needs for the good of others.
Reader		The seventh station: This second fall was even harder than the first one. Jesus, you probably felt as if you couldn’t go on.
All		Jesus, help me to my feet when I am discouraged.
Reader		The eighth station. The women wept when they saw you suffering.
All		Jesus, help me to comfort those who are sad.
Reader		The ninth station: You fall for the third time, Jesus. Your body is broken and bruised, but your will is strong.
All		Jesus, help me to be strong even when life is tough.
Reader		The tenth station: They grabbed you and took away your clothes.
All		Jesus, help me not to embarrass others.
Reader		The eleventh station: Jesus, you stretched out your arms with love for us as they nailed you to the cross.
All		Jesus, teach me to love everyone, because we are all brothers and sisters.
Reader		The twelfth station: Jesus, you died for us. (Pause.) You emptied yourself completely for us.
All		Jesus, help me to be brave in difficult times.
Reader		The thirteenth station. Your mother cradles your lifeless body in her arms.
All		Jesus, help me to accept the sorrows of my own life.
Reader		The fourteenth station. Joseph of Arimathea gives your family a place to bury you.
All		Jesus, help me to share my possessions.
Leader		Jesus will rise again to new life! If we live our lives as Jesus did, we too, will rise to new life.
All		Teach me to love you with all my heart and all my soul for the rest of my life. Amen.
CLOSING SONG