8 Prayers for Each Day of Holy Week

1. A Prayer for Palm Sunday

"Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna![a]" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" ( Mark 11:9-10 NIV)

Heavenly Father, we come before You and ask that You prepare our hearts and minds as we enter a time of remembrance. With an outpouring of gratitude, we lift the name of Jesus. Let our thoughts linger on the weight of mercy granted to Your children at the cost of Jesus Christ's life. Lord, help us to remain faithful, keep us from being double-minded, praising You one day and then denying You the next. Keep us focused on Christ this week, pushing aside distractions and things that keep us from abiding in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2. A Prayer for Holy Monday

"Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:21-22 NIV)

Heavenly Father, we call on Your Spirit to help us in our weakness; when our faith is wavering, and we doubt Your goodness, send Your Helper to comfort us. Lord, thank you for the gift of prayer; we serve a God who desires to be known by His children and longs to hear us communicate with Him. Lord, we ask that Your desires become our desires, that Your will becomes our will; may we love what You love and hate what You hate. And, when we don't know what to pray, let us simply bow our heads and rest in Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.

3. Prayer for Holy Tuesday

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" (John 12:27-28 NIV)

Heavenly Father, we come before You, sinners saved by Your grace; thank You for loving Your children and making a way for us to be reconciled to You. You loved us so much that You sent Your only son, Jesus, to die so that we can have eternal life. Lord, help us to understand the gravity of our sin, that we do not brush over the many ways that we deny You, that we sin against a holy God. But, Lord, we come before you with deep conviction and confession; let us embrace your forgiveness and grace. You have a heart for sinners and desire that all will come to know You. Prick our hearts to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's work. In Jesus' name, Amen.

4. A Prayer for Spy Wednesday

"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." ( Matthew 26:14-16)

Heavenly Father, we ask that you keep us from turning away from You. Lord, we know that sin is still prevalent, even in the believer's life, and we must work to battle our flesh. We were once enemies of You, Lord, but we thank You for the opportunity to come and know You as Lord and Savior. Today, we ask that you place people in our lives who need to hear the good news of the Gospel. Help us boldly proclaim Your name, sharing your great love, endless grace, and abundance of mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/rudall30

5. A Prayer for Maundy Thursday

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you." (Matthew 26:26-27 NIV)

Heavenly Father, help us take the act of the Lord's Supper seriously. Too often, we drink of the cup and take of the bread and don't mediate on the cost and weight of these sacraments. We ask that you forgive the sins in our lives that we've committed knowingly and unconsciously. As we take the Lord's Supper this week, reinforce that we are saved only through the blood of Christ and His body, which was beaten, bruised, and broken, so that we can have eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

6. A Prayer for Good Friday

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit." Matthew 27:50 NIV

Heavenly Father, it is hard to think of this Friday as good, but Lord, we know that for those of us who are in Christ, this is the start of the good news of the Gospel. Lord, help us to linger in the Scriptures that tell of your horrific death. Let us not skip over the text, but let the words pierce our hearts, leading us to deep gratitude and repentance. Thank you for sending Your Son so that we can live. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

7. A Prayer for Black Saturday

"The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'" Matthew 27:62-63

Heavenly Father, what wonderful news that though Christ died, He promised to come back on the third day. We know You are mighty and faithful; we can trust that Your promises are true. Nothing can thwart Your plans. Lord, we ask that when we are in the midst of trials and uncertainty, we remember You always keep your promises. Though it may seem like evil is prevailing, You are in control and always working for Your glory and our good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

8. A Prayer for Easter Day

"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:5-6 NIV

Heavenly Father, Hallelujah, worthy is the lamb to be praised! He is Risen; Christ is risen today! Lord, we are grateful that the tomb was empty on that first Easter morning! Let us, like those women on that first Easter morning, enthusiastically proclaim the news that Christ has Risen! Lord, we wait with hopefully anticipation for Your second coming when You will wipe away every tear, and those who are Your children will be with You forever! We love you, Lord; let all we do bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Related:

What Is Holy Week? - 8 Days of Easter You Need to Know

Holy Week Devotional Guide with 7-Day Scripture Readings and Prayer