Ash Wednesday Prayer

by Christine Sine

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

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8 comments

Brian in NZ February 16, 2010 - 5:59 pm

Thanks Chris. It’s reminiscent of the prayer of St Frances of Assisi. A good way to start Lent

Dave February 23, 2011 - 7:07 pm

Thanks for sharing!

vin February 25, 2011 - 3:28 pm

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

vin February 25, 2011 - 3:31 pm

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

Elizabeth Foster February 11, 2013 - 7:33 am

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

BEATRICE YULE February 11, 2013 - 1:22 pm

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

Christine Sine February 11, 2013 - 2:46 pm

Thank you Beatrice. May God bless you and all that you do.

Mike Reinardy February 11, 2013 - 4:34 pm

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

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