The first day of spring
is still two weeks away
but beginning today, Ash Wednesday,
a springtime of grace begins
in purple and prayer,
but beginning today, Ash Wednesday,
a springtime of grace begins
in purple and prayer,
in fasting and ashes,
inviting us all to new life in Christ…
inviting us all to new life in Christ…
Help us remember, Lord,
that Lent is spring training
for our minds, hearts and souls:
time to strengthen what’s weak
and tone up what’s gone soft;
time to remember things we’ve forgotten,
time to let go what we really don’t need
and to find what we truly need the most…
for our minds, hearts and souls:
time to strengthen what’s weak
and tone up what’s gone soft;
time to remember things we’ve forgotten,
time to let go what we really don’t need
and to find what we truly need the most…
Help us remember, Lord,
that Lent is the grace of a new beginning:
a time for taking stock,
a time to look within,
a time to look within,
a time to be honest
about our faults and failings,
a time to ask for your pardon
a time to ask for your pardon
and make amends,
a time to fast
from what does us no good
and to feast
on what nourishes body and soul;
Lent is a time, a season, a chance
to set things right between you and us
and any we’ve hurt or offended…
Lent is a time to seek peace,
a time to make peace,
a time to live in peace,
a time to be grateful for peace,
the peace, Lord, that only you can give…
Help me remember, Lord,
that Lent’s a season of your grace:
a time to speak to you in prayer,
a time to listen for your voice,
a time to study your Word,
a time to seek your truth and wisdom
a time to live as you call us to live…
a time to listen for your voice,
a time to study your Word,
a time to seek your truth and wisdom
a time to live as you call us to live…
Help me remember, Lord,
that Lent’s a time to be mercifully generous:
a time for us to give more freely
of all we have to give,
to give more and more
of the bounty that’s ours,
a time to tend to our neighbor’s needs,
a time to reach out to the poor,
a time to empty ourselves for others,
not stopping to count the cost to me…
Lord, we’re longing for the spring to come
with its promise of light and new life
so help us begin, now,
so help us begin, now,
to turn our hearts to you this Lent,
for this springtime of your grace
in our minds, our hearts and souls…
Amen.
for this springtime of your grace
in our minds, our hearts and souls…
Amen.
