good friday essay in english

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Essay on Good Friday in 500 Words: 10 Lines, Paragraph

• Updated on  
• Mar 19, 2024

Essay on Good Friday: According to Christian belief, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified. This event is central to Christian theology, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus Christ was worshipped as a ‘God’ because of his sacrifice for humanity and helping people to their righteous path. Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter. This year, Good Friday will be celebrated on 29th March 2024.

On Good Friday, devotees engage in fasting and visit seven churches, reflecting on the fourteen Stations of the Cross . The day is marked by solemn prayers and church services where passages from the Bible are shared. Also, a ritual involves the veneration of the cross, symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Do We Celebrate Good Friday?
• 2 Good Friday Celebrations
• 3 Conclusion
• 4 10 Lines Essay on Good Friday

Popular Essay Topics for Students in English

Why Do We Celebrate Good Friday?

According to Christianity, Jesus was believed to be the Son of God, who was on his mission to help people with their miseries and lead a peaceful life. Christians believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Through his death, Jesus paid the price for humanity’s sins, offering them forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Today, Good Friday is seen as a day of redemption. Jesus’s sacrifices serve as a reminder to be redeemed and experience spiritual renewal. On this day, Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifices of Jesus.

Christians believe that Good Friday is an opportunity to engage in spiritual reflection, repentance, and prayer. It is a time to contemplate the significance of Jesus’ death and its implications for their faith and lives.

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Good Friday Celebrations

Since ours is a secular country, we have a public holiday on Good Friday, Christmas, or any other religious festival. On Good Friday, schools, colleges, and offices are closed, but there is more to this. 

Good Friday celebrations are marked by ritualistic and traditional activities, including the special church service, veneration of the cross, fastings and abstinence, etc. 

On Good Friday, Christians attend the special church services. These services include readings from the Bible recounting the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, and hymns and prayers reflecting on his sacrifice.

On Good Friday, The Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and some Anglican churches have a formal Adoration of the Cross. This ritual involves venerating a representation of the cross, often with a ceremony where worshippers approach the cross to kiss or bow before it as a sign of reverence and devotion.

Fasting and abstinence by Christians on Good Friday is a form of penance and spiritual discipline. Some people eat fruits and vegetables, while others only drink water.

Good Friday is a day of remembrance, worship, and spiritual contemplation for Christians. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for humanity.  It’s a timeless testament to the enduring power of faith, hope, and love. Good Friday sets the stage for Easter, which is celebrated on the next Sunday after Good Friday.

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10 Lines Essay on Good Friday

Ans: Good Friday is a Christian festival. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is a solemn day of reflection and prayer. Good Friday marks the pinnacle of Holy Week, which includes events leading up to Jesus’ death. On this day, Christians remember the immense sacrifice Jesus made for humanity’s salvation. Many churches hold special services where the story of Jesus’ crucifixion is recounted through readings and hymns.

Ans: According to Christian belief, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified. This event is central to Christian theology, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus Christ was worshipped as a ‘God’ because of his sacrifice for humanity and helping people to their righteous path. Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter. This year, Good Friday will be celebrated on 29th March 2024.

Ans: Before the Christian era, the royal soldiers arrested Jesus and he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on Friday, that is why the day is known as ‘Good Friday’.

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Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Good Friday in English

The significance of good friday: a day of reflection and remembrance.

Good Friday, a sacred observance in the Christian calendar, holds profound significance for believers around the world. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian theology that symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. This essay explores the historical, religious, and cultural significance of Good Friday as a day of reflection, remembrance, and spiritual contemplation.

Historically, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, believed to have occurred in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago. According to Christian scriptures, Jesus willingly endured immense suffering and death on the cross, fulfilling a divine purpose to atone for humanity’s sins. The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, including his betrayal, trial, and crucifixion, are central to Christian faith and serve as a cornerstone of Christian theology.

Religiously, Good Friday holds deep spiritual significance for Christians worldwide. It is a day of solemn observance and reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many Christians attend special church services that recount the events of Jesus’ crucifixion through scripture readings, hymns, prayers, and sermons. These services often emphasize themes of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption, inviting believers to contemplate the profound love and mercy demonstrated by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Culturally, Good Friday is observed in diverse ways across different Christian traditions and cultures. In some regions, elaborate processions and reenactments of the Stations of the Cross are held, allowing participants to physically journey through the events of Jesus’ final hours. Others engage in acts of fasting, prayer, and charitable works as expressions of devotion and solidarity with Jesus’ suffering. Throughout history, Good Friday has inspired art, literature, music, and other forms of cultural expression that reflect the depth of its spiritual significance.

Beyond its religious and cultural dimensions, Good Friday serves as a universal reminder of the human capacity for sacrifice, compassion, and redemption. It prompts individuals of all faiths and backgrounds to reflect on the enduring themes of suffering, forgiveness, and hope. In a world marked by division, conflict, and suffering, the message of Good Friday resonates as a beacon of compassion and reconciliation, calling humanity to strive for unity, justice, and peace.

In conclusion, Good Friday stands as a solemn and sacred day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and spiritual contemplation, inviting believers to contemplate the profound significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. Across cultures and traditions, Good Friday inspires individuals to embrace themes of sacrifice, compassion, and forgiveness, offering a timeless message of hope and redemption for all.

Read More: 10 Lines on Easter Sunday in English

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Essay on Good Friday

When we say it is a Good Friday, people generally think that the day is about celebrating a cause of happiness . Unlike what the term implies, Good Friday is a day that Christians all over the world spend in sorrow. This essay on Good Friday in English will make children aware of the importance of the day for Christians. We can also see a glimpse of the life and history of Jesus to understand how people honour his sacrifices on this special day.

Good Friday is the day when people mourn the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. In this Good Friday essay in English, we will briefly discuss the events that led to his crucifixion. Since it is the most significant and holiest day for Christians, people spend this day praying for the forgiveness of their sins. This short essay on Good Friday from BYJU’S will be a useful guide for children to know about this holy feast for Christians.

Table of Contents

History of good friday, celebration of good friday.

According to the religion of Christianity, people believe that the Almighty God had sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to save people from their sins and guide them on the righteous path. The following essay on Good Friday explains how Jesus was born in this world as the son of Joseph and Mary and lived here as a man. Throughout his life, Jesus has been preaching about love and forgiveness and performed several miracles to make people believe in God and eternal life.

Though Jesus continued to teach, some people did not consider him to be sent by God and hence started protesting against him. He was imprisoned and subjected to cruel punishments, which included intense beating with sharp weapons and carrying the heavy cross for long miles. It was after all this thrashing that he was nailed to the cross and put up to be ridiculed by others. The Good Friday essay in English emphasises that Jesus sacrificed himself to pay for the sins of humankind. Since this act is considered a win of good against evil, this day is called Good Friday, even though people lament the death of Jesus.

Since we have seen the history of Good Friday, let us understand how Christians celebrate this day. The short essay on Good Friday in English details that Good Friday is observed two days before Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Good Friday varies each year, but it usually falls between the months of March and April. Christians prepare themselves for 40 days by taking Lent before they enter the Holy Week, where they observe Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.

Since Good Friday follows the passion of Christ, where he had to suffer harsh beatings and punishments, Christians spend this day in prayers and adoration. The Good Friday essay in English will now talk about how Christians participate in the activities that happen on this day. As people remember the sacrifices of Jesus and lament his death on this day, the proceedings at the church begin in the morning with the Way of the Cross instead of the holy mass. A cross sign with the crucified Jesus is placed in front of the altar, and people kiss it. They also keep a fast and spend the day in silent prayer and devotion.

The essay on Good Friday will thus be useful for kids to understand the importance of the day. Besides, it makes us believe that it was the sacrifice of Jesus that enabled people to lead a good and happy life. Apart from this essay on Good Friday in English, you can discover more such essays on significant days and festivals on BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is good friday.

Good Friday is a holy day for Christians on which they observe the sacrifices of Jesus Christ and lament his crucifixion and death.

What is the significance of the Good Friday essay?

The Good Friday essay in English from BYJU’S will make children aware of the importance of the day. They will also understand how sacred the day is for Christians and learn how they observe the day in prayer and fasting.

Why is the day called Good Friday?

Though Jesus sacrificed his life to pay for our sins on this day, it is referred to as Good Friday because of the good intentions behind his sacrifice. Besides, people celebrate his resurrection as Easter two days later, and this denotes his victory over death and sin.

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Essay on Good Friday

Students are often asked to write an essay on Good Friday in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Good Friday

Introduction.

Good Friday is a significant day for Christians worldwide. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Significance

Church services, processions, and passion plays mark the day. Some even fast or abstain from meat as a form of penance.

Good Friday is a solemn day that reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice. It’s a day to reflect on our actions and strive for goodness.

250 Words Essay on Good Friday

Introduction to good friday.

Good Friday, observed during Holy Week preceding Easter Sunday, is a significant event in Christianity. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent death at Calvary, as described in the New Testament of the Bible.

Historical Context

The term ‘Good Friday’ is somewhat paradoxical, given the sorrowful events it represents. The ‘good’ in Good Friday likely originates from an older definition, meaning ‘holy.’ It is a day of solemn reflection, mourning, and penance, symbolizing the sacrifice and suffering that Jesus endured for humanity’s salvation.

Global Observance

Good Friday is observed worldwide, albeit with varying traditions. In some countries, it is marked by processions, re-enactments of the Crucifixion, or special church services. In others, it is a public holiday, allowing believers to participate in these events.

Significance in Modern Times

In modern times, Good Friday holds profound significance. It serves as a reminder of the human capacity for forgiveness and sacrifice. Jesus’s willingness to suffer for the sins of humanity is seen as an ultimate act of selflessness and love. In an era often characterized by self-interest, Good Friday invites a re-evaluation of personal values and actions.

500 Words Essay on Good Friday

Good Friday, a solemn day in the Christian calendar, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. The etymology of ‘Good’ in Good Friday remains a subject of debate; some believe it evolved from ‘God’s Friday’, while others argue it denotes ‘good’ as in ‘holy’. This day is commemorated with fasting, penance, and meditation on Jesus’s suffering.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of Good Friday is rooted in Christian theology. It is believed that Jesus’s crucifixion symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for mankind’s sins, embodying the themes of betrayal, sacrifice, suffering, and death. By surrendering his life, Jesus fulfilled prophecies and demonstrated his divine love for humanity, a narrative central to Christian belief.

Rituals and Observances

Good Friday is marked by various rituals and observances worldwide, reflecting cultural and regional differences. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the ‘Three Hours’ Agony’ is a common practice, where followers meditate on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from noon to 3 p.m. The Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion, is also performed to symbolize Jesus’s journey to Mount Calvary. Other denominations may hold passion plays, processions, or the reading of the Passion story from the Gospel.

Interpretation and Reflection

Good Friday is not only a day of mourning but also a day of introspection and reflection. It is a reminder of the human capacity for violence and betrayal, but also of the possibility of forgiveness and redemption. The narrative of Jesus’s crucifixion challenges us to reflect on our actions, encouraging empathy, compassion, and love.

Good Friday and Modern Society

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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What’s So Good about Good Friday?

What is Good Friday, and why do we call the Friday of Holy Week “good”?

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. This Christian holiday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.

For Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, following what God had promised in the Scriptures ( 1 Corinthians 15:3 ).

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 )

On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins ( 1 John 1:10 ). Easter follows it, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith ( Romans 6:5 ).

Why is it called 'Good' Friday?

Still, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” In English, the origin of the term “Good” is debated : some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.

For the gospel's good news to have meaning for us, we first must understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we were enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is essential to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then, the gospel of Jesus’ grace brings us relief and salvation.

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter . The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and blood at the cross , God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus ( Romans 3:26 ). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the death blow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, resulting from God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” ( Hebrews 12:2 ). Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.

Good Friday marked the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.

Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide -  Praying Through the Holy Week HERE.  Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.

When Is Good Friday?

In 2024, Good Friday will be on  Friday, March 29th.

Good Friday is always the Friday right before Easter. As part of Holy Week , Good Friday is five days after the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday , which commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem .

Read more about Good Friday's future dates and the Holy Week Timeline .

Good Friday in the Bible

Good Friday Prophecy:  "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." ( Isaiah 53:5 )

The events of Good Friday are recounted in all four Gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples.  He was then put on trial before Pontius Pilate.

"Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people." ( John 18:12-14 )

He was then taken to trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where he was falsely accused of blasphemy. He was then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who sentenced Him to crucifixion at the demand of the chief Jewish priests.

"I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” ( John 18:20-21 )

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. ( John 18:38-40 )

The Crucifixion of Jesus:

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God !”

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. ( Matthew 27:32-44 )

From the Gospel of Luke:

Jesus was led to Calvary, where He was crucified between two thieves.

"Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left" ( Luke 23:33-34 )

He hung on the cross for six hours, during which time He spoke seven last words . At about 3:00 pm, He gave up His spirit.

"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last." ( Luke 23:44-46 )

The Death of Jesus

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

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. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene , Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. ( Matthew 27:45-56 )

Good Friday Fulfilled : "He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." ( 1 Peter 2:24 )

The True Meaning of Good Friday

For Christians, Good Friday is a day of mourning and reflection. It is a time to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity. It is also a time to remember the power of God's love and the promise of eternal life.

Good Friday is also a day of hope and new beginnings. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Jesus' death on the cross was not the end but rather the beginning of something new. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and opened the way for eternal life for all who believe in him.

Bible Verses about Good Friday

Romans 5:6-10 - "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"

1 Peter 2:24 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Isaiah 53:3-5 - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Good Friday Observations

Here are some of the traditions Christians have observed on Good Friday when commemorating Jesus' death on the Cross.

Strict Fasting and Prayer

Many observe Good Friday as a day to fast and pray . The physical act of fasting is to abstain from food or activity to devote that time to prayer. Many Christians observe Good Friday as a day of fasting and prayer to focus on the suffering and sacrifice of the Lord but also as a day to refocus attention on the Father. Fasting and prayer remove distractions and open an opportunity to hear the heart of the Father. Fasting on Good Friday is a helpful way to unite one’s focus to Christ.

Church Services

Attending a church service is common on Good Friday. The Easter season begins with Lent six weeks prior with an Ash Wednesday service in many denominations and leads up to events during Easter week. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, Good Friday the sacrifice and suffering of Christ, and Easter Sunday celebrates the fulfilled promise of Christ raising just as He promised. Many denominations have weekly services, including Good Friday, to ponder such a somber day.

Solemn Hymns

The singing of hymns or songs to the Lord is a way to worship Him through song. Some churches make specific observations between 12 noon and 3 pm, or the hours in which Christ was on the cross to worship the Lord in song. You can sing with the people you live with or even get on a video call with your small group or family and sing together.

Burial Shroud

This Good Friday practice is more common among the Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches. According to OrthoChristian.com , 

"The Holy Shroud is taken out of the altar on Friday afternoon during the Vespers of Great Saturday, at the third hour of Holy Friday—that is, the hour of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross (the service usually begins at about two o’clock in the afternoon). The Holy Shroud is carried out of the altar and placed into the tomb in the middle of the church. This is a raised platform adorned with flowers and perfumed as a symbol of our sorrow at the death of Christ. The Gospel is laid in the center of the Shroud. As the Shroud is carried out, the hymn “Noble Joseph" is sung:"

"The noble Joseph, when he had taken down Thy most pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb."

Prayer for Good Friday

Justin Holcomb  is an Episcopal priest who teaches theology at Reformed and Knox Theological Seminary. Justin wrote  On the Grace of God  and co-authored with his wife Lindsey  Rid of My Disgrace  and  Save Me from Violence . He is also the editor of  Christian Theologies of Scripture . You can find him on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  JustinHolcomb.com .  

Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/DesignPics

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God changes us. As we’re feasting at His table having fellowship with Him, we no longer want the table scraps of the world. We don’t become immune to temptation, but we’re no longer drawn to the world like we used to be.

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