‘Stations of the Boat’ Prayer Texts composed for The Third Day: Autumn
Station 1
And it came to pass that Esus was brought before the people. And the people beheld the boy bound and harshly handled. And they saw him forced to his knees, abandoned, friendless and alone. And upon him stern judgement descended, and a sentence severe was spoken. For his doom was decided and this was his dying day.
O great one, show us that you triumph even in the deepest humbling, and grant us your strength and your wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things.
We adore you and bless you, o Lord, for aboard your vessel, our world is redeemed.
Station 2
And on that day did he set forth willingly upon his path of pain, walking the way ordained for him on high. And he came to the one who among all the people there present was purest of heart. And it was from her sinless hands that he did receive the cord that would bind him to his fate. And so Esus took the world’s weight upon his shoulders, for he knew that what must be must be. And others there were also, who then stepped forward, compelled by compassion, to share in the bearing of his bitter burden.
O Lord, afford us the fortitude to face misfortune with like meekness and cheer, so that we may ever be ready to lift up our loads and follow you, and weather life’s storm.
Station 3
And, behold, he was weakened and wearied, and his legs failed Esus for a first time and down he fell to dusty ground. And there lay he, and yet no help and no comfort were near. For powers of darkness now assailed him and all friends forsook him.
He persevered, ever patient,
All sin for our sake bearing,
Else would we die despairing.
May looking on his pain and tribulation
Lead our souls from sin towards salvation.
Station 4
And at that time did the sword of sorrow pierce the heart of his loving mother, to see her beloved son in the hour of his extremity. Great as the sea was the anguish in her heart. But the boy knew he must bid her goodbye, and turn forever away from the safety of her embrace. For his fate must be fulfilled.
Lord, grant that we who look on her pains with compassion might receive the healing fruits of your sufferings.
Station 5
And so it was that Esus continued on his way, but his weakness was easy for all to see. And in that time of his direst need, one man was called from the crowd to lend help, for it appeared that the boy's bruised and broken body could go no further.
O blessed one, help us to see in our trials and tribulations a share in your great struggle. May we glory in nothing else, and may we never shrink from adversity but rather rejoice if we should be counted worthy to suffer in your name.
Station 6
And it came to pass, that, while he was relieved from his laboursome load, Esus did find from afar an unfamiliar face that flickered with fellow-feeling, like a beacon of light that signifies safety to those in peril on dark waters. One friend it appeared this child of sorrows had still, who now reached out to him hands of loving kindness. This touch of tenderness, the last he would know, was a life-giving balm, restoring to him the power to persevere.
O Lord, give us, we beg you, the courage to care, and the strength to suffer with those who are in need.
Station 7
And, behold, he was weakened and wearied, and his legs failed Esus for a second time and down he fell to dusty ground. And there lay he, and yet no help and no comfort were near. For powers of darkness now assailed him and all friends forsook him.
He persevered, ever patient,
All sin for our sake bearing,
Else would we die despairing.
May looking on his pain and tribulation
Lead our souls from sin towards salvation.
Station 8
Now there followed him a great company of women, which also bewailed and lamented Esus, augmenting the waters with their salt tears. But Esus spoke to them, saying ‘Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your sons and for their sins, countless as grains of sand.’
Station 9
Feeble of flesh and faint of spirit, short of breath and pale of face, his legs failed Esus for a third time and down he fell to dusty ground. There he lay, and yet no help and no comfort were near. For powers of darkness now assailed him and all friends forsook him.
Weakened and wearied, bruised and broken,
He persevered, ever patient,
All sin for our sake bearing,
Else would we die despairing.
May looking on his pain and tribulation
Lead our souls from sin towards salvation.
Station 10
And so it came to pass that Esus arrived at his journey's end. Then was he stripped of his lendings, exposed to the winds of hatred and the waves of scorn, a thing of frailty. Now the people beheld him where he stood in utter desolation, at the appointed hour for his annihilation.
[Happy is he whom the Lord chastises, for He wounds, but He binds up. He smites, but His hands give healing.]
O blessed one, make us humble like you in this life, so that we may share in your glory in the life to come.
Station 11
And so the fate was fulfilled. And by the light of such fire as consumed his brother Taranis, Esus went out into the waters, to become one with them as his brother Toutatis before him. And with the last of his sight, Esus saw that he must perish from this life so that tomorrow he should live.
O Lord, our saviour, master of the waters and protector of the land, whose glory fills the whole world, show us that you triumph even in the deepest humbling, and grant us your strength and your wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things.