Preparing for Good Friday – A Free Good Friday Prayer Reflection Tool

By Susan Freese

Experience Jesus like never before and prepare for Good Friday with your heart and soul.

If you’ve been a Christian for a long time, it can be easy to approach Holy Week with a list of tasks that uphold family traditions. We may feel guilty for the busyness of prepping for Easter celebrations with little attention to preparing our hearts. While annual rituals are special and meaningful, we may desire a fresh approach to deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Seeing holidays through the eyes of a new believer or a child helps to focus on the true meaning, especially when it comes to Good Friday. We may know how to answer new believers’ questions like, “What is Good Friday,” and “Why is it called good?”

Yes, let’s explain how Good Friday is the day Jesus suffered and died on the cross as payment for our sin debt. Help those around you look at the cross to better understand just how good God is.

But how do we switch from head knowledge to heart change?

Let’s take the opportunity to transform this Good Friday into a day of deep connection, reflection, and repentance for ourselves and those we teach.

As we take a break from the checklist of activities and memory-making moments, we invite you to draw closer to Jesus. You can prepare for Good Friday by taking a 14-step prayer journey called the “Way of Suffering.” Consider reading and reflecting on each step from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the hours recorded in Scripture when Jesus hung on the cross.

The reality is—how can we fully accept and appreciate Our Resurrected King without first thinking deeply about His agony and anguish on our behalf?

Similar to other Christian faith activities, like the Scriptural Stations of the Cross or Resurrection Eggs, the journey helps readers ponder the path Jesus took on that most holy day, Good Friday.

Each step reflects what Jesus actually experienced, as recorded in Scripture, so we can better understand Holy Week through His eyes. Seeing what He’s seeing. Hearing what He’s hearing.

Let’s try to imagine the crushing betrayal of a close friend, carrying the weight of the cross, seeing the hurt in your mother’s gaze, and battling the physical agony with your every breath in order to speak to those around you. That’s what it means to walk in the “Way of Suffering.”

Tradition holds that Jesus’s mother, Mary, would regularly retrace His last day’s steps. She would walk Jerusalem’s streets, recounting each moment as a way to remember and honor His ultimate sacrifice.

Like visiting the cemetery of a loved one or returning to a chapel where a special moment took place in your life—these visits help us rewind time and re-live precious moments or memories of our loved ones.

Although the events on Good Friday occurred long before we existed, we can draw from the pages of Scripture to meditate on Jesus's sacrifice for us.

The reality is that we should have been nailed to that cross. We should have been participants in this journey, but Jesus did this in our place. If you receive Him as your Lord and Savior, you’ll never have to doubt God’s extravagant love for you—His acceptance of Jesus’s death on our behalf.

Only one question remains—will you respond to His love and sacrifice with yours?

Will you place your faith in only Jesus for salvation and follow Him as the Leader of your life? His grace, not your works, merit, or efforts. His will, not yours. Turning from your selfish ways to Jesus’s ways will lead to friendship and peace with God, starting now and lasting eternally.

The story does not end on the cross—Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and hell forever, which is the reason for our glorious Resurrection Sunday celebration! But first, Jesus must fulfill His purpose, obey His Father, and endure the Way of Suffering.

Journey with Him, and let each step help you encounter Jesus like never before. Allow these 14 steps to prepare your heart for Him.

The Way of Suffering

A Good Friday prayer reflection tool - use it each year to prepare your heart and mind for this most holy day.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Read aloud the step, pause, and let your mind think and your soul pray. And remember, Sunday is coming! Make sure to download it as a free printable tool here.

The Way of Suffering

A Good Friday Prayer Reflection Tool *

Step One: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.“ 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.“ 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn‘t you men keep watch with me for one hour?“ he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak“ (Matthew 26:36-41 NIV).

Step Two: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

“Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.“ 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!“ and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him“ (Mark 14:43-46 NIV).

Step Three: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,“ they said, “tell us.“ Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.“ 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?“ He replied, “You say that I am.“ 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips“ (Luke 22:66-71 NIV).

Step Four: Jesus is Denied by Peter

“Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ”Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:69-75 NIV).

Step Five: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

“Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed . . . Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:1-5, 15 NIV).

Step Six: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.” (John 19:1-3 NIV).

Step Seven: Jesus Bears the Cross

“As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)” (John 19:6, 15-17 NIV).

Step Eight: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.’” (Mark 15:21 NIV).

Step Nine: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31 NIV).

Step Ten: Jesus is Crucified

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Luke 23:33-34 NIV).

Step Eleven: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Criminal

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other- criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43 NIV).

Step Twelve: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (John 19:25-27 NIV).

Step Thirteen: Jesus Dies on the Cross

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people” (Matthew 27:45-53 NIV).

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last” (Mark 15:37 NIV).

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46 NIV).

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:28-30 NIV).

Step Fourteen: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away” (Matthew 27:57-60 NIV).

*Adapted from the Scriptural Stations of the Cross.

Preparing for Good Friday – A Free Good Friday Prayer Reflection Tool

Experience Jesus like never before and prepare for Good Friday with your heart and soul.

The reality is—how can we fully accept and appreciate Our Resurrected King without first thinking deeply about His agony and anguish on our behalf?

Although the events on Good Friday occurred long before we existed, we can draw from the pages of Scripture to meditate on Jesus's sacrifice for us.

The Way of Suffering