Isaiah 53—Opening of Worship For Lent or Holy Week

Published November 12, 2026

Updated November 12, 2026

Cross

This opening of worship liturgy originally appeared in "Listening to the Prophets—Lent 5: Man of Sorrows."

Responsive Reading from Isaiah 53

Who has believed our message 
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces,

he was despised and we esteemed him not.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities.

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

Prayer

Lord God, in whose wounds we find our healing, bring us into your presence. 
Allow us to see your suffering, your sacrifice, and your glory.

Amen.
—Marvin Hofman © 2003 ReformedWorship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. 

Song

“O Jesus, We Adore You” Russell


Revised Common Lectionary

Years A, B, C: Holy Week—Good Friday