Here is a prayer that I wrote for Ash Wednesday this year. It can in fact be used throughout Lent as a centering prayer for a Lenten discipline. I had planned to make it into a meditation video but have not had time. Maybe later in Lent.
We have chosen to fast
Not with ashes but with actions
Not with sackcloth but in sharing
Not in thoughts but in deeds
We will give up our abundance
To share our food with the hungry
We will give up our comfort
To provide homes for the destitute
We will give up our fashions
To see the naked clothed
We will share where others hoard
We will free where others oppress
We will heal where others harm
Then God’s light will break out on us
God’s healing will quickly appear
God will guide us always
God’s righteousness will go before us
We will find our joy in the Lord
We will be like a well watered garden
We will be called repairers of broken walls
Together we will feast at God’s banquet table
8 comments
Thanks Chris. It’s reminiscent of the prayer of St Frances of Assisi. A good way to start Lent
Thanks for sharing!
thank you for this prayer – i was searching for a positive prayer to say with my children – i have 400 of them – this is perfect and beautiful and give s the message i try to instill in them in my teaching – thank you
thank you for this prayer – i was searching for a positive prayer to say with my children – i have 400 of them – this is perfect and beautiful and give s the message i try to instill in them in my teaching – thank you for the new interpretation of Isaiah
It has been a LONG time since I have found a Lenten “focus”. THANK GOD for this year’s blessing of focus and prayer … for RESPECT and UNITY for ALL … and surely, it begin with the likes of Future Church.
Blessings…..
Elizabeth Foster
Perfect time to bring the plight of our religious to center focus again..keep up the great work,the Spirit is guiding you and the out come can be only positive..God’s blessings upon all,peace,Bea Yule
Thank you Beatrice. May God bless you and all that you do.
This is just another example of the culture of violence toward women prevelent worldwide. It”s not just the secular politicians that ignore it, but the failure of moral leadership rampant in the Vatican as well. With today’s announcement of Benedict XVI’s forthcoming abdication, we must also pray that the Holy Spirit will also overshadow the upcoming Conclave. I will gladly fast on Ash Wed., even though I’m well past the age where it is mandated.
Keep the faith with hope & love.
M. J. Reinardy