Based on The Stations of the Cross, this act of worship for young people and adults remembers the events of Good Friday.
You could use this resource during Lent for a youth session or as self-directed prayer stations around your church, perhaps on Good Friday.
Featured artwork by Ghislaine Howard
Ghislaine Howard is a painter whose works chart and interpret shared human experience. Named as a ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2008 for her contribution to art and society, she has exhibited in many prestigious venues including Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth, Imperial War Museum North, Canterbury Cathedral and the British Museum and has works in major public collections.
We are delighted to feature six of Ghislaine’s artworks below, from her Stations of the Cross/The Captive Figure series.
Please share Ghislaine’s artwork, as prompted in the Stations below. Click on each image to view a larger version.
Station 1 Jesus is condemned to death John 19.13-16
You will need: Bibles, Ghislaine’s artwork, candles to light, access to websites (optional).
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Something to do
Have you ever been falsely accused or misjudged? Have you experienced racism, or bullying? Jesus was caught in a political situation – the Pharisees whipped up the crowd to have an innocent man executed.
Something to pray
Amnesty international and Open Doors highlight situations where people are unjustly imprisoned or sentenced to death. Light a candle and pray for a person/situation of injustice in your community or around the world. Jesus was falsely accused, imprisoned, beaten and killed. He is with us when we face persecution and injustice (Matthew 5.10-12).
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Station 2 Jesus takes up his cross John 19.17
You will need: Bibles, Ghislaine’s artwork, cross, rucksack filled with heavy items, sticky notes and pens.
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Something to do
What things do you carry each day? Think beyond your phone, lunch and keys! Do you carry: responsibility? Hope for your future or guilt for mistakes made in the past? Does anxiety, grief or a challenging relationship weigh you down? Write down the things you carry and place them in or on the rucksack.
Something to pray
Pick up the rucksack for a moment. What does it mean to carry your cross (Matthew 16.24-26)? What do you think Jesus has given you to carry? What can you set down? What does Jesus carry for you (Matthew 11.28-30)? Lay the rucksack at the foot of the cross as you reflect.
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Station 3 The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene Matthew 27.32
You will need: Bibles, Ghislaine’s artwork, paper and pens.
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Something to do
Though divine, Jesus experienced human frailty – his whipped body was giving out and he couldn’t carry the heavy cross any further. Help came from Simon, a stranger in Jerusalem. Imagine being asked to carry Jesus’ cross. Write a poem or draw a picture/comic strip, about Simon’s experience.
Something to pray
Have you ever come to the end of your strength? Is it hard to ask for support, or easy? Ask for willingness to accept your limits and receive help. Pray for those you know who need strength at this time.
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Station 4 Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Luke 23.27
You will need: Bibles, Ghislaine’s artwork, ash, mirror, wet wipes, fabric to shred, sticky notes and pens.
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Something to do
The Hebrew word for lament can be translated ’how then...’ or ’how could...’ Have you ever asked: ‘How can this be? How do I go on? How can I live now? How has this happened?’ In ancient Israel, grief and sorrow were expressed through communal and physical acts. Try out a few and see how they feel:
- Beat your chest with your fists.
- Put ash on your face. (similar to an Ash Wednesday cross)
- Tear clothes. (use the fabric provided)
- Weeping/wailing together loudly.
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Something to pray
Think about people you know who are grieving or going through a hard time. Write some of your lament questions on sticky notes. God understands when our prayers are more like cries or groans. Sometimes just expressing the emotion to God can be helpful.
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Station 5 Jesus is stripped of his garments Luke 23.34
You will need: Bibles
Something to do
Empty your pockets and/or bag. Take off your coat. Make a pile of your belongings on the floor and take a few steps away from them. How would you feel if you were arrested, and your possessions and clothes taken from you? Vulnerable? Angry? Ashamed? Jesus was humiliated and robbed. He had everything taken from him, yet he chose to forgive.
Something to pray
Jesus, I often rely on myself: my money,
my phone, my abilities, my strength, but those things won’t last for ever. Help me to trust God more, and like you, to choose forgiveness.
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Station 6 Jesus is nailed to the cross Luke 23.33
You will need: Bibles, music to listen to (e.g. Rend Collective Nailed to the Cross), large nails (of two different sizes), beads and thin wire for beading.
Something to do
Listen to music about the crucifixion and, as you reflect on Jesus’ suffering, create a prayer aid.
Something to pray
Consider what you would like to be nailed upon the cross so that you can experience life in all its fullness.
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Station 7 Jesus dies on the cross Luke 23.44-46
You will need: Bibles, a comfortable area that can be made dark, Ghislaine’s artwork to display with LED candles at the entrance of the ‘dark space’, access to music (optional).
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Music suggestions
Something to do
In a dark space, reflect on what it would be like for darkness to cover the whole land for three hours. How might Jesus have felt in the dark, in the few hours before his death? How do you feel in the dark?
Something to pray
Jesus’ prayer is one of trust, trusting his spirit to the Father. What could you entrust to Jesus?
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Station 8 Jesus is laid in the tomb Luke 23.50-54
You will need: Bibles, Ghislaine’s artwork, comfortable floor space and/or mats; chairs (optional).
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Something to do
Try lying in the corpse yoga position (https://www.everydayyoga.com/blogs/guides/how-to-do-corpse-pose-in-yoga) which symbolizes deep surrender and release. Become aware of the ground beneath you, supporting you. Or, sit in a chair with your feet firmly on the floor, open your palms, letting go of tension. In death, Jesus trusted God with his future and his resurrection. Think about how God supports you and holds you, like the ground beneath you. Reflect: What could you choose to surrender and trust God with?
Something to pray
You could try a breath prayer, saying: (on the inbreath): ‘Jesus’, (and on the outbreath): ‘I surrender’.
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Closing prayer
As we reflect on your journey to the tomb,
we thank you, Jesus, for the good news of Easter.
Death has not won.
Your resurrection brings forgiveness and hope for us all.
Amen.
Finish by listening to the poem by S M Lockridge It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming - text below.
It’s Friday.
Jesus is praying.
Peter’s a sleeping.
Judas is betraying.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
Pilate’s struggling.
The council is conspiring.
The crowd is vilifying.
They don’t even know that Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd.
Mary’s crying.
Peter is denying.
But they don’t know that Sunday’s a comin’.
It’s Friday.
The Romans beat my Jesus.
They robe him in scarlet.
They crown him with thorns.
But they don’t know that Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
See Jesus walking to Calvary.
His blood dripping.
His body stumbling.
And his spirit’s burdened.
But you see, it’s only Friday.
Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
The world’s winning.
People are sinning.
And evil’s grinning.
It’s Friday.
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands to the cross.
They nail my Savior’s feet to the cross.
And then they raise him up next to criminals.
It’s Friday.
But let me tell you something,
Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
The disciples are questioning.
What has happened to their King.
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming has been achieved.
But they don’t know It’s only Friday.
Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
He’s hanging on the cross.
Feeling forsaken by his Father.
Left alone and dying.
Can nobody save him?
Ooooh It’s Friday.
But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday.
The earth trembles.
The sky grows dark.
My King yields his spirit.
It’s Friday.
Hope is lost.
Death has won.
Sin has conquered and Satan’s just a laughin’.
It’s Friday.
Jesus is buried.
A soldier stands guard.
And a rock is rolled into place.
But it’s Friday. It is only Friday.
Sunday is a comin’!
By S.M. Lockridge—African American pastor from 1953–1993