Friday Prayers

Introductory Prayers

Step 1

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Step 2

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Step 3

On the first large rosary bead, pray the Our Father:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen. (Matthew 6:9b-13 NIV)

Step 4

On each of the next three beads, pray the Jesus Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

Step 5

On the next large bead, pray Glory Be To the Father:

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Decades - The Sorrowful Meditations

Step 6

The First Meditation

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Step 7

The Second Meditation: 

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Step 8

The Third Meditation: 

The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe

On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Step 9

The Forth Meditation: 

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Step 10

The Fifth Meditation: 

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

On each of the next ten beads, pray the Jesus Prayer x10 - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.

On the next large bead, pray a Glory Be To The Father - Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Closing Prayers

Step 11

Pre-Trent Hail Mary, a part of the Magnificat, or Martin Luther’s Evangelical praise of the Mother of God (or all three)

Pre-Trent Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ. Amen. (Luke 1:42)

The Magnificat

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1: 46b-55 NIV)

Martin Luther’s Evangelical Praise of the Mother of God

O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example. Amen

Step 12

End with The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Daily Readings

Bible in a Year

BibleProject Plan

Revised Common Lectionary

Daily scripture readings that include OT, Psalms, and NT - dailyLectio.net