STEPPING INTO LENT WITH AN ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYER
Merciful God of infinite compassion,
your creating power called us forth
from the dust of the earth,
and your redeeming love fashioned us anew
in your image.
In this, the acceptable time,
lead us inward to be at peace with you,
and outward to be reconciled with our neighbour.
May we embrace the sacred discipline of Lent
with broken, humbled hearts.
and so come to the blessed joy of Easter
cleansed and renewed.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
who lives for ever and ever. Amen
Adapted: : Peter J Scagnelli, Prayers for Sundays and Seasons – Year A
Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1998.