A Litany for Holy Week

This Litany is taken from "Common Worship". Were we together in church, the minister would say the words in ordinary type, and we would all respond with those in bold. Perhaps, as we say these words at home, we can imagine being in church, with the beautiful solemnity of Holy Week descending on us, and with the sense it brings that nothing else matters - only this bleak reality of sin and pain and division, and the God who enters our unholiest places to make us holy like him... May we all know the riches of his mercy. 

For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean spiritual death,

and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity

there may grow a rich union in Christ,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them,

that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who make our world a battleground,

and for those who have the courage to work openly for justice and peace,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those in the darkness and agony of isolation,

that they may find support and encouragement,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure or sorrow,

feel that God is far from them,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That we, with those who have died in faith,

may find mercy in the day of Christ,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

have mercy on us.