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The Walk With Christ

Now that very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. And it happened that as they were talking together and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and walked by their side; but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

Luke 24:13-16 (NJB)

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Contents

Morning Prayers Agents of Peace……………………..……………… 8 Timing………………………………………………… 10 A Testimony of Love…………………………….. 12 Evening Prayers Noise………………………………………………….…7 Reveal …………………………………………………..9 Trials………………………………..............................11 The Disciple’s Prayer…………………………………..…..13 The Apostle’s Creed………………………………………..13 Confessions of Faith……………………………….………14 A Creed in the Words of the Apostle John………..15 How to Make the Stations of the Cross ……….…..16 The Stations of the Cross ………………………….……18 This booklet has been approved by the secretariat for use with The Walk With Christ, 2006 Revised November 2007 Revised August 2011 Revised February 2015

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Noise Read: Psalm 62 Lamentations 3:22-26 Silent reflection Heavenly Father, My world is filled with noise: Honking cars, loud music,

television, radio, and voices fill my day. Quiet! My soul longs for quiet; a place to rest, a time to think, or

simply just to be. But at the same time, I fear it. In the quiet, I am confronted

with myself: my thoughts, my deeds, my inactions, my words - both spoken and unspoken. In the quiet, I am confronted with myself. And with You.

Yes! You are my hope and my salvation. You are safety where nothing can defeat me. But what does it cost me to live in You? Everything.

Courage. Father, I need courage to face myself and to face You.

As I draw each breath in the silence, let me be filled with Your courage, Your wisdom, Your love.

Lord, use this time to refocus my mind: to think Your thoughts so I may say Your words and do Your deeds.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Reflection Questions: Why do I choose noise over quiet? How have I sought God’s presence in my life today?

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Agents of Peace Read: Romans 14:1-19 Numbers 6:22-27 Silent reflection Father in heaven, You have called us to be peacemakers – a people who

bring Your SHALOM into the world. But what is peace – what is SHALOM?

Is it the absence of war? Or does it go further - to the total absence of agitation and discord?

Is it that feeling I have as I slowly wake up on my day off? Or is it the sense of tranquility I have when I realize that in You I have enough?

Is it the absence of sound? Or is it the sound of wholeness seeping into someone’s soul as they realize God’s immense love for them?

SHALOM means to be complete, perfect and full. How can I bring these things into the world, Lord?

Is it through the words I speak – to my spouse, children, co-workers, and neighbors? Is it?

Is it through the little things I do all the time to make life better for someone else?

Show me Lord. Teach me. Use me. Fill me with SHALOM so it will spill out of me.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Reflection Questions: Who has demonstrated SHALOM to me? Is there someone God wants to bless today through me?

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Reveal

Read: Psalm 40:1-10 John 14:1-11 Silent reflection Lord, Where should I look for You? Too often You are hidden

from my sight and I lose You in the business of my day. There are many things that touched me today – and some

things that troubled me. Were You there? Did You see and hear? What did these things mean?

Were You speaking to me today through others? What did You want me to learn? Did I miss something? Why, Lord, why do I have so many questions and so few answers?

Am I looking at this all wrong, Lord? Instead of focusing on what You are saying to me, should I be looking at how You have revealed Yourself through me?

Were any of the words I spoke today, Your words? Were any of the services I offered today revealing Your love and kindness?

Lord, I long for the transformation of my being that will allow me to continually commune with You so I may continually show You to others.

Reflection Questions: Where did God reveal Himself through me today? How did I know that God was present with me today?

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Timing Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Galatians 6:2-10 Silent reflection Dear Lord, I need a timing check. It seems far too often I am running

ahead of You or lagging far behind. Teach me Your timing.

“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” My life is packed – I rush from here to there so often it

feels like I am spinning out of control Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. With each breath I take, fill me again with Your presence

and remind me that the time will come when I take my last breath.

With each exhalation, remind me that I am making room for more of You in my life, and giving what I have received.

Use me Lord to plant seeds of hope and faith; to help harvest the blessings You share with us.

Show me when to tear down walls that divide and where to build bridges that unite.

Help me to listen as someone shares their brokenness and give me the words to share hope.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen Reflection Question: How can I better balance my life to show God’s seasons?

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Trials Read: Genesis 50:15-21 James 1:2-15 Silent reflection Precious Holy Spirit, May I be honest with You? You already know my thoughts

before I speak them and You have invited me to bring everything to You – so yes, I think I can be honest with You.

I don’t like trials. It seems like such a platitude to say that they are good for me – they hurt! How can so much pain be good?

Joseph suffered so much due to his brother’s cruelty – yes, You brought good out of it, but was it necessary? Is there no easier way to develop perseverance in us?

“Easier.” Maybe that is my problem. I want an easy faith. I don’t want it to cost me much. How can I be so selfish when I look at the enormous cost Jesus paid for me.

Costly discipleship means seeing everything I experience as a gift from You to help me grow in my faith. I’m not sure, even now, if I am ready for this step of faith.

Holy Spirit, help me. Reflection Questions: How have my trials helped me to grow stronger in faith? Are there any trials I’ve experienced that I have been

unable to reconcile with my faith?

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A Testimony of Love

Read: Psalm 89:5-16 Acts 1:1-8 Silent reflection Beloved Holy Spirit, As I begin this day, help me to see each opportunity You

give me to share Your love. Whether it is during a meal, quiet reflection or earnest discussion, season my thoughts, my words, my actions with Your presence.

When someone is discouraged and ready to give up, grant to me the insight to help them walk again.

When people are frustrated or angry, may the oil of Your peace flow from me upon the troubled waters and bring peace.

Help me to remain grounded in You when someone challenges me. Let not my pride interfere with the joy of showing Your patience.

Shine through me. Love through me. Act through me. I am your servant, your witness.

Make me an instrument of Your peace. Let me sow love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, faith where there is doubt, hope where there is despair, joy where there is sadness.

Holy Spirit, help me. Reflection Question: Do I look for ways to witness for Jesus? How long has it been since I have shared Jesus’ love with

someone else? Will I witness for Jesus today?

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The Disciple’s Prayer (aka: “The Lord’s Prayer”)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

forever. Amen.

The Apostle’s Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and

earth; And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord: who was

conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

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Confessions of Faith

From Romans 8:35, 37-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or famine, or

nakedness or peril or sword? No! In all things we are more than conquerors through the

One who loved us. We are sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our lord.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

From 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1:15; 3:16 There is one God and there is one mediator, Christ Jesus,

who came as a ransom for all, to whom we testify. This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory, great indeed is the mystery of the gospel.

Amen.

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A Creed in the Words of the Apostle John We believe that God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit

and truth. We believe that God is Light, and that if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we

have fellowship one with another. We believe that God is Love, and that everyone that loves is born of God, and

knows God. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in

His Son. We believe that He is the Resurrection and the Life, and that those who believe in Him, even though they

die, they will live. We believe that we are children of God, and that He has given us His Spirit. We believe that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and

just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We believe that the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

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How to Make the Stations of the Cross

The first point to note is that this is prayer. It isn’t an intellectual exercise. It is in the context of my relationship with God. I could read through the text of each of the stations, but that wouldn’t necessarily be prayer. This is an invitation to enter into a gifted faith experience of who Jesus is for me. It becomes prayer when I open my heart to be touched, and it leads me to express my response in prayer. The second thing to remember is that this is an imaginative exercise. Its purpose is not an historical examination of “what really happened” on that day in history. It’s about something far more profound. This is an opportunity to use this long standing Christian prayer to let Jesus touch my heart deeply by showing me the depth of His love for me. The context is the historical fact that He was made to carry the instrument of His death, from the place where He was condemned to die, to Calvary where He died, and that He was taken down and laid in a tomb. The religious context is that today Jesus wants to use any means available to move my heart to know His love for me. These exercises can allow me to imaginatively visualize the “meaning” of His passion and death. The point of this exercise is to lead us to gratitude. It will also lead us into a sense of solidarity with all our brothers and sisters. In our busy, high tech lives we can easily get out of

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touch with the terrible suffering of real people in our world. Journeying with Jesus in the stations, allows us to imagine His entry into the experience of those who are tortured, unjustly accused or victimized, sitting on death row, carrying impossible burdens, facing terminal illnesses, or simply fatigued with life. It is wonderful to pray the stations in a church, where stations are arranged around the walls. It is traditional to genuflect when we say the words, “We adore You, O Christ…” However, we can pray the stations alone in our room, using our imaginations. Go from one station to another. When “arriving” at a station, begin by looking carefully at the image itself or imagine it in detail. Contemplate the scene as long as you find fruit there. Let the words of this text only open your heart to personal prayer and gratitude.

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Stations of the Cross The following Stations of the Cross are based on those celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991. They are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ’s passion.

Opening Prayer: Minister: God of power and mercy, in love You sent Your Son that we might be cleansed of sin and live with You forever. Bless us as we gather to reflect on His suffering and death that we may learn from His example the way we should go. We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord. All: Amen.

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First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Minister: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then He said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with Me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” When He returned to His disciples He found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch for Me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 25:36-41

Minister: Lord, grant us Your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow Your will in all things. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Optional Reader: Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to Him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed Him. At this they laid hands on Him and arrested Him.

Mark 14:43-46 Minister: Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives

may faithfully reflect the good news You bring.

All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: When day came, the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought Him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but He replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from His own mouth.”

Luke 22: 66-71 Minister: Lord, grant us Your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work to bring about the justice of the kingdom that You promised. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the Man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the words that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny Me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

Matthew 26:69-75

Minister: Lord, grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused Him of many things. Again Pilate questioned Him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse You of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so Pilate was amazed…. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas… [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.

Mark:1-5, 15 Minister: Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as You see, not as the world sees. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on His head, and clothed Him in purple cloak, and they came to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him repeatedly.

John 19:1-3

Minister: Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross

Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Optional Reader: When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him. I find no guilt in Him.” … They cried out, “Take Him away, take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed Him over to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross Himself He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.

John 19:6, 15-17

Minister: Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.

All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Optional Reader: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry His cross.

Mark 15:21 Minister: Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be Your instruments on earth.

All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented Him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time, people will say to the mountains, “Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”

Luke 23:27-31

Minister: Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: When they came to a place called the Skull, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on His right, the other on His left. {Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”]

Luke 23:33-34 Minister: Lord, grant us merciful hearts that we may bring Your reconciliation and forgiveness to all. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are You not the Messiah? Save Yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this Man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:39-43 Minister: Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking You. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19:25-27 Minister: Lord, grant us constancy that we may be willing to stand by those in need. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit”; and when He had said this He breathed His last.

Luke 23:44-46 Minister: Lord, grant us trust in You that when our time on earth is ended our spirits may come to You without delay. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Fourteenth Station Jesus is Placed in the Tomb Minister: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You. All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Optional Reader: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.

Matthew 27:57-60 Minister: Lord, grant us Your compassion that we may always provide for those in need. All: Lord Jesus, help us walk in Your steps.

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Closing Prayer: Minister: Lord Jesus Christ, Your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven and reconciles all people to You. May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in Your steps and so come to share Your glory in heaven where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. All: Amen. Scripture excerpts are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament, Copyright ©1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these excerpts in free distribution of these stations.

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