STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR ANYONE SEARCHING FOR PEACE
A Journey of Healing, Trust, and Hope in a Troubled World
INTRODUCTORY PRAYER In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I come before You with a restless heart. The world feels chaotic—wars rage, division deepens, fear spreads. My own struggles add to this weight—uncertainties about the future, wounds from the past, burdens I carry in silence. Where is peace in a world like this?
But You, Lord, have walked this road before me. You endured betrayal, suffering, injustice, and even death itself. Yet, in the midst of it all, You never lost trust in the Father. Even as the world fell apart around You, Your heart remained at peace.
Jesus, I long for the peace that is deeper than understanding—the peace that holds steady even when my world trembles. As I walk this way of the cross, help me to surrender my fears, to trust in Your presence, and to believe that even in darkness, You are working all things for good.
Prince of Peace, calm my troubled soul. Speak into the chaos of my heart and the world around me. Lead me, step by step, into the stillness of Your love.
Jesus, I place my heart in Yours. Lead me in the way of peace. Amen.
FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DIE
Trust in His Mercy“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, You stand before Pilate, falsely accused, surrounded by voices demanding Your death. You are abandoned, humiliated, unjustly condemned. And yet, You do not lash out. You remain silent, trusting completely in the Father’s will.
Lord, I, too, feel surrounded by the noise of judgment—by the opinions of others, by my own inner critic, by the constant flood of fear in the world. I feel the weight of my past mistakes, the fear of an uncertain future. How often do I condemn myself with guilt, believing I am unworthy of Your love?
But You, Jesus, did not come to condemn. You came to save. You look at me not with judgment, but with mercy. You see beyond my failures to the child of God You created me to be.
Help me, Lord, to silence the voices of fear and condemnation. When the world feels overwhelming, when I feel unworthy, let me hear only Your voice speaking peace:“You are mine. You are loved. You are forgiven.”
Jesus, when I feel condemned, let me trust in Your mercy. Amen.
SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
Strength in Surrender“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The weight of the cross presses down upon You, Lord—rough, splintered, unrelenting. It is not just wood You carry, but the sins and sorrows of the whole world. You bear it willingly, knowing that this path leads to redemption.
Lord, I have my own crosses—burdens that weigh me down, struggles that drain my spirit. The fear of the future, the pain of loss, the uncertainty of where the world is headed. Some days, it feels like too much.
Yet, You teach me that surrender is not weakness, but strength. You accepted the cross not with resentment, but with trust. Help me to do the same. When life feels unbearable, let me remember that You walk beside me, carrying what I cannot.
Jesus, when my burdens weigh me down, give me the strength to surrender in trust. Amen.
THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Courage to Rise Again“The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:14)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the road is uneven, the weight unbearable, and You stumble. For a moment, You lie in the dust, crushed by pain and exhaustion. But You do not stay down. Love gives You the strength to rise.
Lord, I know this feeling. I have fallen into fear, into doubt, into discouragement. The news is filled with division, hatred, and violence. It is easy to feel helpless, to wonder if my efforts even matter. Sometimes, I feel too weary to keep going.
But You, Jesus, show me that falling is not the end. What matters is that I rise again. Give me the courage to keep walking, to believe that even small acts of love and faith push back the darkness.
Jesus, when I feel defeated, lift me up with Your mercy. Amen.
FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
The Power of Presence“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Through the jeering crowds, Mary finds You. She cannot take away Your suffering, but she stands with You. Her love is silent but strong.
Lord, sometimes there are no words that can take away pain. Sometimes all we can do is stand beside those who suffer, offering nothing but our presence. Yet that presence, that love, is enough.
The world feels isolating. We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness grows. I long to be truly seen, to know I am not alone in my struggles. But I also realize that I am called to be this presence for others.
Open my eyes, Jesus, to those who need my love. Teach me that peace is found not just in receiving comfort, but in giving it. Let me be a source of hope in a world desperate for love.
Jesus, when I feel alone, help me to recognize the love that surrounds me and be that love for others. Amen.
FIFTH STATION: SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS
The Gift of Shared Burdens“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, You are staggering, the weight unbearable. A stranger—Simon—is pulled from the crowd, forced to help You. At first reluctant, his heart is changed as he walks beside You.
Lord, I resist weakness. I want to appear strong, self-sufficient. But You remind me that true strength is found in accepting help. You allowed Simon to shoulder part of Your suffering—should I not do the same?
Help me to welcome the hands that reach out to me in love. And let me be that hand for others, lightening their burdens as Simon lightened Yours.
Jesus, when I resist asking for help, remind me that love is a road we walk together. Amen.
SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
The Power of Small Acts of Love“Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Through the shouting crowd, one woman dares to step forward. She does not have the strength to lift the cross, nor the power to stop the violence. Yet she does what she can—she wipes Your face. And You, in return, leave Your image upon her veil.
Lord, I look at the world’s suffering and feel powerless. What difference can I make? But You show me that no act of love is too small. A word of kindness, a moment of listening, a quiet prayer—these simple acts reflect Your face in a world desperate for mercy.
Let me not hold back love simply because I cannot do everything. Let me do what I can, trusting that even the smallest kindness is written upon Your heart.
Jesus, when I feel powerless, remind me that love—no matter how small—changes everything. Amen.
SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME
Hope in the Midst of Struggle“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” (Psalm 28:7)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
You fall again—harder this time. The weight does not lessen. The journey does not ease. And yet, despite the pain, You rise again.
Lord, how many times have I thought I could not go on? The struggles of life feel relentless. I rise, only to be knocked down again. The world is weary, burdened by violence, division, and uncertainty. It is tempting to give up hope.
But You, Lord, did not give up. You teach me that hope is not found in an easy road, but in the strength to rise each time I fall. I may not see the end, but I can trust the next step.
Jesus, when I feel like I cannot go on, give me the strength to take one more step. Amen.
EIGHTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
Seeing Beyond Our Own Suffering“Weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Even in Your agony, You look upon the women of Jerusalem with compassion. You see their suffering, their fears for the future. You do not ask for pity; instead, You turn their gaze toward the true weight of the world’s brokenness.
Lord, in my pain, I often turn inward. I see only my struggles, my sorrows. But You invite me to look beyond myself, to see the suffering of others, to be moved by their pain, to reach out in love.
Help me to step outside of my own wounds and into the needs of others. Let my suffering not make me bitter, but more compassionate.
Jesus, when I am consumed by my struggles, open my heart to the pain of the world. Amen.
NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME
The Grace to Rise Again“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
For the third time, You collapse. The road is too much. Every muscle cries out in exhaustion. Yet, in this lowest moment, You find the will to stand.
Lord, I know what it is to feel like I cannot rise again. The failures, the disappointments, the battles that seem never-ending. There are days when my strength runs out.
But You remind me that I do not rise by my own strength—I rise by Yours. Your grace is not for the strong, but for the weary, for those who know they need You.
Jesus, when I reach the end of my strength, lift me with Yours. Amen.
TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
Letting Go of What We Cling To“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The last scraps of dignity are taken from You. Exposed before the world, You stand with nothing. Yet, You are still the Son of God. No humiliation can strip You of who You are.
Lord, I hold tightly to many things—my plans, my comfort, my security. I fear losing control. But You show me that peace is found not in clinging, but in letting go.
Strip me of all that keeps me from trusting You. Let me find my identity not in what I have, but in who I am—beloved by You.
Jesus, when I cling too tightly to what cannot last, teach me to let go in trust. Amen.
ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
Love in the Face of Suffering“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The nails pierce through flesh, through bone. Yet, as the hammer falls, so do Your words of mercy: Father, forgive them.
Lord, when I suffer, I want to blame, to strike back, to close my heart. But You show me another way—the way of love, even in agony.
Help me to choose love when I am wronged. Help me to forgive, even when it feels impossible.
Jesus, when I am wounded, teach me to respond with love. Amen.
TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
The Triumph of Love“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The sky darkens. The earth trembles. The world holds its breath. And then, with one final cry, You surrender everything into the hands of the Father.
This is love. Not a love that clings to life at all costs, but a love that pours itself out completely. A love that embraces even death, trusting in a greater plan.
Lord, I fear surrender. I fear letting go of control. I want to hold on—to my plans, my comforts, my life. But You show me that the only way to truly live is to give everything to the Father.
Jesus, when I fear surrender, remind me that love is never wasted. Amen.
THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
The Tenderness of Love“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead.” (Psalm 16:10)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Your lifeless body is lowered from the cross. Blood-stained, broken, motionless. The hands that healed the sick now lay still. The voice that calmed the storm is silent. And yet, even in this silence, love remains.
Mary receives You into her arms once more—the arms that held You as a child, now holding You in death. There are no words, only grief. But even in this sorrow, she does not despair. She holds onto hope, even when all seems lost.
Jesus, when my heart aches, teach me to trust that love will have the final word. Amen.
FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB
Hope in the Silence“Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The stone is rolled into place. The world grows quiet. To those who love You, it seems like the end. But something unseen is happening. Death is not the end of the story.
Lord, I have sat in the long silence of uncertainty, wondering if hope will ever dawn again. But You remind me that in the waiting, You are bringing about something new. Resurrection is already on the horizon.
Jesus, when I stand in the silence of the tomb, help me to believe in the dawn. Amen.
FINAL PRAYER: THE LIGHT BEYOND THE CROSS
Lord Jesus, I have walked this way of the cross with You, carrying the weight of sorrow, suffering, and uncertainty. I have seen You stumble and rise, fall and persevere, love and forgive—even as the world rejected You. In every moment, in every trial, You showed me the way of peace: not the peace of this world, which is fragile and fleeting, but the peace that comes from trust in the Father’s love.
Now, I stand at the tomb, waiting. The world is still troubled. Fear still grips many hearts. I do not always understand Your ways, and at times I struggle to see hope beyond the darkness. But You have shown me that even in the silence of the tomb, You are working, preparing something new, something greater than I can imagine.
You whisper to my heart:“Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.”
Jesus, I surrender my fears to You. I lay down my burdens at the foot of Your cross. Even when I cannot see the way forward, even when the world feels uncertain, I choose to trust in You. I choose to believe that love is stronger than hate, that hope is greater than despair, and that life—true life—is found in You alone.
Make me an instrument of Your peace, Lord. Where there is division, let me bring unity. Where there is despair, let me shine hope. Where there is fear, let me be a bearer of love. Let me walk in the light of Your resurrection, knowing that even the deepest darkness cannot overcome Your glory.
Jesus, You are my refuge when the storms rage, my light when the night lingers, my peace when the world is unsteady. Hold me close, lead me forward, and let me walk, step by step, into the dawn of Your love.
Amen.
INTRODUCTORY PRAYER In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I come before You with a restless heart. The world feels chaotic—wars rage, division deepens, fear spreads. My own struggles add to this weight—uncertainties about the future, wounds from the past, burdens I carry in silence. Where is peace in a world like this?
But You, Lord, have walked this road before me. You endured betrayal, suffering, injustice, and even death itself. Yet, in the midst of it all, You never lost trust in the Father. Even as the world fell apart around You, Your heart remained at peace.
Jesus, I long for the peace that is deeper than understanding—the peace that holds steady even when my world trembles. As I walk this way of the cross, help me to surrender my fears, to trust in Your presence, and to believe that even in darkness, You are working all things for good.
Prince of Peace, calm my troubled soul. Speak into the chaos of my heart and the world around me. Lead me, step by step, into the stillness of Your love.
Jesus, I place my heart in Yours. Lead me in the way of peace. Amen.
FIRST STATION: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DIE
Trust in His Mercy“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, You stand before Pilate, falsely accused, surrounded by voices demanding Your death. You are abandoned, humiliated, unjustly condemned. And yet, You do not lash out. You remain silent, trusting completely in the Father’s will.
Lord, I, too, feel surrounded by the noise of judgment—by the opinions of others, by my own inner critic, by the constant flood of fear in the world. I feel the weight of my past mistakes, the fear of an uncertain future. How often do I condemn myself with guilt, believing I am unworthy of Your love?
But You, Jesus, did not come to condemn. You came to save. You look at me not with judgment, but with mercy. You see beyond my failures to the child of God You created me to be.
Help me, Lord, to silence the voices of fear and condemnation. When the world feels overwhelming, when I feel unworthy, let me hear only Your voice speaking peace:“You are mine. You are loved. You are forgiven.”
Jesus, when I feel condemned, let me trust in Your mercy. Amen.
SECOND STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS
Strength in Surrender“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The weight of the cross presses down upon You, Lord—rough, splintered, unrelenting. It is not just wood You carry, but the sins and sorrows of the whole world. You bear it willingly, knowing that this path leads to redemption.
Lord, I have my own crosses—burdens that weigh me down, struggles that drain my spirit. The fear of the future, the pain of loss, the uncertainty of where the world is headed. Some days, it feels like too much.
Yet, You teach me that surrender is not weakness, but strength. You accepted the cross not with resentment, but with trust. Help me to do the same. When life feels unbearable, let me remember that You walk beside me, carrying what I cannot.
Jesus, when my burdens weigh me down, give me the strength to surrender in trust. Amen.
THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Courage to Rise Again“The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:14)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, the road is uneven, the weight unbearable, and You stumble. For a moment, You lie in the dust, crushed by pain and exhaustion. But You do not stay down. Love gives You the strength to rise.
Lord, I know this feeling. I have fallen into fear, into doubt, into discouragement. The news is filled with division, hatred, and violence. It is easy to feel helpless, to wonder if my efforts even matter. Sometimes, I feel too weary to keep going.
But You, Jesus, show me that falling is not the end. What matters is that I rise again. Give me the courage to keep walking, to believe that even small acts of love and faith push back the darkness.
Jesus, when I feel defeated, lift me up with Your mercy. Amen.
FOURTH STATION: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER
The Power of Presence“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Through the jeering crowds, Mary finds You. She cannot take away Your suffering, but she stands with You. Her love is silent but strong.
Lord, sometimes there are no words that can take away pain. Sometimes all we can do is stand beside those who suffer, offering nothing but our presence. Yet that presence, that love, is enough.
The world feels isolating. We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness grows. I long to be truly seen, to know I am not alone in my struggles. But I also realize that I am called to be this presence for others.
Open my eyes, Jesus, to those who need my love. Teach me that peace is found not just in receiving comfort, but in giving it. Let me be a source of hope in a world desperate for love.
Jesus, when I feel alone, help me to recognize the love that surrounds me and be that love for others. Amen.
FIFTH STATION: SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS
The Gift of Shared Burdens“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Jesus, You are staggering, the weight unbearable. A stranger—Simon—is pulled from the crowd, forced to help You. At first reluctant, his heart is changed as he walks beside You.
Lord, I resist weakness. I want to appear strong, self-sufficient. But You remind me that true strength is found in accepting help. You allowed Simon to shoulder part of Your suffering—should I not do the same?
Help me to welcome the hands that reach out to me in love. And let me be that hand for others, lightening their burdens as Simon lightened Yours.
Jesus, when I resist asking for help, remind me that love is a road we walk together. Amen.
SIXTH STATION: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
The Power of Small Acts of Love“Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Through the shouting crowd, one woman dares to step forward. She does not have the strength to lift the cross, nor the power to stop the violence. Yet she does what she can—she wipes Your face. And You, in return, leave Your image upon her veil.
Lord, I look at the world’s suffering and feel powerless. What difference can I make? But You show me that no act of love is too small. A word of kindness, a moment of listening, a quiet prayer—these simple acts reflect Your face in a world desperate for mercy.
Let me not hold back love simply because I cannot do everything. Let me do what I can, trusting that even the smallest kindness is written upon Your heart.
Jesus, when I feel powerless, remind me that love—no matter how small—changes everything. Amen.
SEVENTH STATION: JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME
Hope in the Midst of Struggle“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” (Psalm 28:7)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
You fall again—harder this time. The weight does not lessen. The journey does not ease. And yet, despite the pain, You rise again.
Lord, how many times have I thought I could not go on? The struggles of life feel relentless. I rise, only to be knocked down again. The world is weary, burdened by violence, division, and uncertainty. It is tempting to give up hope.
But You, Lord, did not give up. You teach me that hope is not found in an easy road, but in the strength to rise each time I fall. I may not see the end, but I can trust the next step.
Jesus, when I feel like I cannot go on, give me the strength to take one more step. Amen.
EIGHTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
Seeing Beyond Our Own Suffering“Weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:28)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Even in Your agony, You look upon the women of Jerusalem with compassion. You see their suffering, their fears for the future. You do not ask for pity; instead, You turn their gaze toward the true weight of the world’s brokenness.
Lord, in my pain, I often turn inward. I see only my struggles, my sorrows. But You invite me to look beyond myself, to see the suffering of others, to be moved by their pain, to reach out in love.
Help me to step outside of my own wounds and into the needs of others. Let my suffering not make me bitter, but more compassionate.
Jesus, when I am consumed by my struggles, open my heart to the pain of the world. Amen.
NINTH STATION: JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME
The Grace to Rise Again“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
For the third time, You collapse. The road is too much. Every muscle cries out in exhaustion. Yet, in this lowest moment, You find the will to stand.
Lord, I know what it is to feel like I cannot rise again. The failures, the disappointments, the battles that seem never-ending. There are days when my strength runs out.
But You remind me that I do not rise by my own strength—I rise by Yours. Your grace is not for the strong, but for the weary, for those who know they need You.
Jesus, when I reach the end of my strength, lift me with Yours. Amen.
TENTH STATION: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS
Letting Go of What We Cling To“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The last scraps of dignity are taken from You. Exposed before the world, You stand with nothing. Yet, You are still the Son of God. No humiliation can strip You of who You are.
Lord, I hold tightly to many things—my plans, my comfort, my security. I fear losing control. But You show me that peace is found not in clinging, but in letting go.
Strip me of all that keeps me from trusting You. Let me find my identity not in what I have, but in who I am—beloved by You.
Jesus, when I cling too tightly to what cannot last, teach me to let go in trust. Amen.
ELEVENTH STATION: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
Love in the Face of Suffering“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The nails pierce through flesh, through bone. Yet, as the hammer falls, so do Your words of mercy: Father, forgive them.
Lord, when I suffer, I want to blame, to strike back, to close my heart. But You show me another way—the way of love, even in agony.
Help me to choose love when I am wronged. Help me to forgive, even when it feels impossible.
Jesus, when I am wounded, teach me to respond with love. Amen.
TWELFTH STATION: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
The Triumph of Love“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The sky darkens. The earth trembles. The world holds its breath. And then, with one final cry, You surrender everything into the hands of the Father.
This is love. Not a love that clings to life at all costs, but a love that pours itself out completely. A love that embraces even death, trusting in a greater plan.
Lord, I fear surrender. I fear letting go of control. I want to hold on—to my plans, my comforts, my life. But You show me that the only way to truly live is to give everything to the Father.
Jesus, when I fear surrender, remind me that love is never wasted. Amen.
THIRTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS
The Tenderness of Love“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead.” (Psalm 16:10)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Your lifeless body is lowered from the cross. Blood-stained, broken, motionless. The hands that healed the sick now lay still. The voice that calmed the storm is silent. And yet, even in this silence, love remains.
Mary receives You into her arms once more—the arms that held You as a child, now holding You in death. There are no words, only grief. But even in this sorrow, she does not despair. She holds onto hope, even when all seems lost.
Jesus, when my heart aches, teach me to trust that love will have the final word. Amen.
FOURTEENTH STATION: JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB
Hope in the Silence“Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
I adore You, O Christ, and I praise You.Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
The stone is rolled into place. The world grows quiet. To those who love You, it seems like the end. But something unseen is happening. Death is not the end of the story.
Lord, I have sat in the long silence of uncertainty, wondering if hope will ever dawn again. But You remind me that in the waiting, You are bringing about something new. Resurrection is already on the horizon.
Jesus, when I stand in the silence of the tomb, help me to believe in the dawn. Amen.
FINAL PRAYER: THE LIGHT BEYOND THE CROSS
Lord Jesus, I have walked this way of the cross with You, carrying the weight of sorrow, suffering, and uncertainty. I have seen You stumble and rise, fall and persevere, love and forgive—even as the world rejected You. In every moment, in every trial, You showed me the way of peace: not the peace of this world, which is fragile and fleeting, but the peace that comes from trust in the Father’s love.
Now, I stand at the tomb, waiting. The world is still troubled. Fear still grips many hearts. I do not always understand Your ways, and at times I struggle to see hope beyond the darkness. But You have shown me that even in the silence of the tomb, You are working, preparing something new, something greater than I can imagine.
You whisper to my heart:“Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.”
Jesus, I surrender my fears to You. I lay down my burdens at the foot of Your cross. Even when I cannot see the way forward, even when the world feels uncertain, I choose to trust in You. I choose to believe that love is stronger than hate, that hope is greater than despair, and that life—true life—is found in You alone.
Make me an instrument of Your peace, Lord. Where there is division, let me bring unity. Where there is despair, let me shine hope. Where there is fear, let me be a bearer of love. Let me walk in the light of Your resurrection, knowing that even the deepest darkness cannot overcome Your glory.
Jesus, You are my refuge when the storms rage, my light when the night lingers, my peace when the world is unsteady. Hold me close, lead me forward, and let me walk, step by step, into the dawn of Your love.
Amen.