Ash Wednesday

Holy and gracious God, Creator of all living things, the beginning and the end of our lives. We, your people, are ready to begin our Lenten journey. Strengthen our hearts and minds through your bountiful love. Make us ready to acknowledge our sins and weaknesses. Prepare us to hear your words of forgiveness and acceptance. This we ask in the name of the one who walked the way of the cross, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Prayer of Thomas Aquinas

Give me, O God, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag downward;
an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out;
an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon me, O God, understanding to know you,
diligence to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
and a faithfulness that will embrace you.

Amen.

Dear God,

Every morning we are awed by the beauty of your creation, and are humbled that it was created for us. You gave us the gift of life and the blessings of this world to be for us a reminder of your love and glory, a reminder of an everlasting life to come with you.

But so often we forget your glory and majesty and love, and we feel too much the weight of worry and doubt and fear; we make choices in which we fail to live up to the standard of life set by Jesus, and we become consumed by our failures and fall away from you.

We ask on this day that you fill our hearts with your light, so that we might see the path back to you. Be with us here on earth, guide our steps, and surrounded us with your love.

God, today as always, we pray for those who suffer from pain and hunger and fear and ask that you give them your strength and comfort. And Lord, we ask that you be with the men and women who risk their lives for peace and justice and good, and give them hope as every day they face evil and press on.

We thank you for all you have given us. Most of all we thank you for your grace in your Son, Jesus Christ. In his name we pray.

Amen.

Dear God,

Once again we bow before you, humbled by your awesome presence in this world, thankful for your spirit in our lives, and yearning to know you deeper. Once again we are still in your presence, remembering to listen to your voice, so that it may guide us through our week along the path you have called us to take.
We face so many choices in our lives, Lord – choices about relationships, about work, about raising a family; choices about money, and school, and religion, and values. And God, in the same breath that we use to thank you for the freedom to choose, we ask you for your guidance in making our choices so that we choose rightly, so that we choose You.
God, as Christians, as your people living in community with all of creation, we pray for this world. There is so much suffering, and pain, and sadness, and today we ask Lord for your peace and mercy to be upon those who are in darkness and despair.
God, thank you for all we have, renew us with your love and hope so that we might face down all obstacles that keep us from living a life in Your light. We pray in the name of your holy Son.
Amen.

For Steadfastness

(We said this prayer this morning in our staff meeting before beginning worship.)

Fix our steps, O God, that we stagger not at the uneven motions of the world, but go steadily on our way to do that which is right, neither complaining on our journey about the weather we meet nor turning aside for anything that would misdirect us.

Amen.

A Prayer for Christian Witness

Send us, O God, as your messengers to hearts without a home, to lives without love, to the crowds without a guide. Send us to the children whom none have blessed, to the fallen whom none have lifted, and to the bereaved whom none have comforted. Kindle your flame on the altars of our hearts, that others may be warmed thereby, and cause your light to shine in our souls, that others may see the way.

Amen.

Loving God,

When we cry out, you listen. When we sing, you rejoice. When we forget, you remember. And Lord too often we forget. We forget that we are your children, and we have allowed the evil in the world to blind us and the pain in the world to embitter us.

Lord, as you listen to us, help us to listen to you. And as you remember us, help us to remember you. Forgive our pride and our selfishness, and remind us that even when it seems the dark waters will cover and consume us, you are with us, and your goodness and love really are present in this world.

God, we pray for your peace and love to fall upon the leaders around the globe as they struggle to make good decisions for our world. And Lord, be with the men and women who risk their lives for peace and justice as they look daily into the face of evil and press on. Give them strength as they fight constantly for hope.

God, we come before you this week ready to hear your Word and ready to be in communion with you. We pray Lord that you speak to our hearts so that we can remember this week to be thankful for everything we have: for this church and community of friends and family, for life in you, and for love that conquers death. Most especially, God, we are thankful for your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to love.  It's in his name we offer this prayer.

Amen.