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A Prayer about the Good in Good Friday

by | Mar 28, 2024 | Easter, Lent

A Prayer about the Good in Good Friday

‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.’

Luke 22:42

Author God,

How we thank you for writing this tragic scene into your story, 

that we might know the grief 

Jesus suffered as he contemplated 

fulfilling the mission you had given him.

Our Savior begged you to “remove this cup” (Luke 22:42). 

In his humanity, he dreaded the horror of crucifixion. 

As your sinless Son, 

he dreaded even more 

bearing your wrath for our sins. 

And yet, he prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). 

You did not remove the cup. 

You sent an angel to strengthen him.

And our Savior cried more tears, 

prayed more prayers, 

sweating blood in his agony. 

From him, we learn that it’s okay 

to name the horror of death. 

From him, we learn to pray 

as we grieve. 

And from him, we learn that even in grief, 

we look to glory, 

for Jesus “endured the cross 

for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). 

How we thank you for the joy you gave us

through our Savior’s death and resurrection. 

In his wonderful name we pray. Amen.

Read Luke 22:29-46.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Good in Good Friday

by | Apr 6, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Death and Resurrection, Easter, Lent

A Prayer about the Good in Good Friday

‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Matthew 27:46.

Tear-wiping God,

Many people have asked through the years, 

“How can we call it ‘Good Friday’ 

when it’s the day our Savior died?” 

In the same way, grieving friends may ask 

if there is anything good in these days,

the days of shootings, sickness, war, and death. 

Your answer to why Good Friday is good 

is your answer to all who mourn 

and to all who hate the brutality of sin and death. 

The Good in Good Friday comes from you, 

the through-and-through good Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Yes, Jesus was wrongly convicted in a mock trial.

Yes, Jesus was beaten and bloodied by Roman soldiers.

Yes, Jesus was mocked by many who previously praised him.

Yes, Jesus was subjected to the brutal death of crucifixion.

But God. But through it all, you were in control. 

Through it all, you were carrying out the plan 

that you, the triune God made from the beginning of time. 

It was a good plan. 

It was the only plan that could finally and forever 

restore your people to you. 

And in the moment that Jesus cried from the cross, 

“It is finished,” 

it became a completed plan. 

You had won victory over sin and death, 

and just three short days later, 

the “Son of Righteousness” would rise 

with “healing in [his] wings” (Malachi 4:2).  

Yes, it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. 

In the worst of our days on this earth, 

may we never forget the great hope of Good Friday.

In Jesus’ victorious name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 26:57-65; Matthew 27:1-61.

Note: This prayer is based on my Holy Week devotional, The Gospel Day-by-Day. Get your Holy Week devotional e-book free now. Link in profile or copy/paste link into browser: http://eepurl.com/b__teX.

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