The Friday of the the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness serves for the Maronite calendar as the fortieth day of Lent; it serves as a stopping-point to sum up Lent before we get to Holy Week itself.
Friday of the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 4:1-13
Have mercy on us, O Lord;
You are rich in mercy.
In Your great compassion,
blot the record of our wrongs.
Fasting and prayer make the soul pure;
through them mercy pours from heaven's heights.
From the Jordan Jesus came,
full of the Holy Spirit;
in the wilds He was tempted.
Satan said, "Make these stones bread."
"We do not live by just bread;
we live by the word of God."
"Worship me; all will be yours."
"It is written, 'Serve the Lord,
Him alone shall you worship.'"
"Show Yourself the Son of God!
God's angels will protect You!"
"Do not tempt the Lord Your God."
Wash us clean, O Lord our God;
purify us from sin,
the sin You always see.
Washed, we will be white as snow.
Fasting and prayer radiate light;
through them the devout are made like Christ.
