Lord God, heavenly Father, in your special love and mercy you gave us your Son who became truly human and died on the cross for us. Pour your Holy Spirit into our hearts that we may put all our trust in him, just as the Centurion believed that Christ would help his sick servant, may we be assured of the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. We have your Word: “Whoever believes in me will never see death.” Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may believe with no doubts in our hearts, and remain in the faith until our last hour.
Almighty and eternal God, mercifully look on our weaknesses, and in all dangers and needs defend us with your power against our enemies; through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you for instituting holy matrimony to keep us from unchastity and other offenses. Send your blessing on every husband and wife, that they may not provoke each other to anger and strife, but live peaceably together in love and godliness, receive your gracious help in all temptations and raise their children according to your will. Move us all to walk before you in purity and holiness, to put all our trust in you, and lead holy lives on earth and in the world to come enjoy eternal life; through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever.
Lord God, heavenly Father, in your mercy you have established the Christian home among us. Rule and direct our hearts, that we may be good examples to children and not offend them by Word or deed, but faithfully teach them to love your Church and hear your blessed Word. Give them your Spirit and grace, that this seed may bring forth good fruit, so that our home life may lead others to your glory, honor, and praise, to our own improvement and welfare and give offense to no one; through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever.
God of all mercies, Lord of all might, give us an abundance of your goodness, remove our feet from evil, and lead us on the path which leads to you; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.
God, good and gracious, you have great mercy to all who call on you. Listen to our cry, and in your mercy, take away our offences that we may serve you faithfully here, and stand in your presence in glory hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Reproaches or Improperia are a series of antiphons and responses sung in Good Friday liturgies, usually in the afternoon. They first appeared in the ninth century. There are many different versions of the Reproaches with different verses. What is presented below is a shorter and possibly earlier version.
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! (Micah 6:3)
I led you out of the land of Egypt, and you have led your Savior to be scourged.
I led you out of the land of slavery, and you led your Redeemer to be nailed to the cross.
Lord God most holy, Lord most mighty, holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal death.
I threw Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea, and you delivered me to the chief priests and the Gentiles.
I fed you with manna, and gave you water to drink from the rock in the wilderness, and you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
Lord God most holy, Lord most mighty, holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal death.
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!
Lord God most holy, Lord most mighty, holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal death.
Listen to the Improperia sung in Latin in an arrangement by Tomas Luis de Victoria.
Here is a different performance of the same piece that also includes the chant in the illustration at the top of this page.
German version:
The section in the German version “Heiliger Herre Gott…” is quoted from Luther’s hymn version, “Mitten wir in Leben sind…” Our translation above follows our translation of “In the midst of life…”
Was habe ich dir gethan , mein Volk, und womit habe ich dich beleidigt? antworte mir! (Micha 6:3).
Habe ich dich doch aus Aegyptenland geführt: und du hast zu Geißelung überantwortet deinen Heiland.
Habe ich dich doch aus dem Diensthause erlóset: und du hast ans Kreuz geschlagen deinen Erlöſer.
Heiliger Herre Gott! Heiliger starker Gott! Heiliger, barmherziger Heiland, Du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht verſinken in des bittern Todes Noth!
Habe ich doch Pharao und seine Reuter gestürzt ins Meer: und du hast mich überantwortet den Hohenprieſtern und den Heiden.
Habe ich dich doch gespeiſet mit Manna, und getrånker von dem Wasser des Felsen in der Wüste: und du haſt mich getränket mit Galle und Essig.
Heiliger Herre Gott! Heiliger starker Gott! Heiliger, barmherziger Heiland, Du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht versinken in des bittern Todes Noth.
Was habe ich dir gethan , mein Volk, und womit habe ich dich beleidigt? antworte mir!
Heiliger Herre Gott! Heiliger starker Gott! Heiliger, barmherziger Heiland, Du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht verſinken in des bittern Todes Noth!
Original in Latin:
Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi.
Quia eduxi te de terra Ægypti: parasti Crucem Salvatori tuo.
Hagios o Theos. Sanctus Deus. Hagios Ischyros. Sanctus Fortis. Hagios Athanatos, eleison hymas. Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis.
Ego propter te flagellavi Ægyptum cum primogenitis suis: et tu me flagellatum tradidisti.
Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi.
Ego eduxi te de Ægypto, demerso Pharaone in mare rubrum: et tu me tradidisti principibus sacerdotum.
Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi.
A Collection of Prayers 