Midday Prayers: Ash Wednesday
(Today’s blog is a longer prayer service to begin the 40 day journey. We leave the order in which these prayers are prayed in community. If you are alone, you may imagine yourself with us, praying in our community rhythm — or you may read all the parts aloud. God bless you as you choose to make this Midday time sacred.)
Enter in Silence
Reader: O God, come to our aid.
ALL: OH LORD, MAKE HASTE TO HELP US.
(Candle lighting)
Reader: The candle reminds us that your Spirit is within us and lights the way of mercy and holiness.
ALL Sing: New every morning is Your love, O Lord Fresh Your compassion daily dawns. New every morning is Your mercy and grace, You are faithful, You are strong. Lord we thank You for this day. (GIA Publications)
Reader: (Acts 9:1-20 TNIV)
ALL: THIS IS GOD’S WORD FOR ME.
Intercessions
After each individual prayer the intercessor prays: Lord in your mercy
ALL: YOU HEAR OUR PRAYER
Reader: For all of the silent prayers we pray,
(Silent prayers)
Reader: Lord in your mercy
ALL: YOU HEAR OUR PRAYERS
PRAYER OF CONFESSION and REPENTANCE
Reader: God of light in whom there is no shifting shadow, save us from the shadow of our false self.
ALL: SAVE ME FROM THE SELF THAT FORGETS AND MOVES AWAY FROM YOU AND FROM ALL THAT IS MOST TRUE ABOUT ME. AMONG THE SHADOWS OF MY TRUE SELF ARE ANGER, PRIDE, DECEIT, ENVY GREED, FEAR, GLUTTONY, LUST AND SLOTH…
Reader: Light of the world, forgive us for sins and shadows that separate and eclipse Your presence and our true self, the one that abides with you in love and light, forgiveness and courage.
I CHOOSE TO MOVE TOWARD YOU, TOWARD GOODNESS, LOVE, COMPLETION, ORIGINALITY, WISDOM, LOYALTY, ENTHUSIASM, POWER AND PEACE… MY TRUE SELF, THE SELF THAT IS ONED WITH YOU… HIDDEN IN CHRIST WITH GOD. AMEN
Leader: Holy God, Maker of all
ALL: HAVE MERCY ON US.
Leader: Jesus Christ, Savior of the world
ALL: HAVE MERCY ON US.
Leader: Holy Spirit, Breath of life
ALL: HAVE MERCY ON US.
Leader: In silence we confess our faults and admit our frailty.
ANTIPHON PRAYER: (L) Left side of the room BOLD (R) Right side lower case
R: Before God, with the people of God, I confess to my brokenness: to the ways I wound my life, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
L: MAY GOD FORGIVE YOU, CHRIST RENEW YOU, AND THE SPIRIT ENABLE YOU TO GROW IN LOVE.
R: Amen.
L: BEFORE GOD, WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD,WE CONFESS TO OUR BROKENNESS: TO THE WAYS WE WOUND OUR LIVES, THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD.
R: May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.
ALL: AMEN
Reader: Lord we bring to you our brothers and sisters throughout the world, who are separated from you.
All: We bring to you those who are confused, hopeless, sick, in poverty and pain. Give them today, through our hands, their daily bread and through our understanding love, peace and joy. Amen
Reader: Grant us in all doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do;
ALL: LORD, INCREASE OUR FAITH AND STRENGTH. LET YOUR SPIRIT OF WISDOM SAVE US FROM ALL FALSE CHOICES, AND IN YOUR STRAIGHT PATH WE WILL NOT STUMBLE.
WE STAND AT THE CROSSROADS AND LOOK;
WE ASK FOR THE ANCIENT PATHS,
WE ASK WHERE THE GOOD WAY IS,
AND CHOOSE TO WALK IN IT,
AND WE WILL FIND REST FOR OUR SOULS.
WE OFFER THIS DAY, THIS SEASON OF LENT
TO YOUR SON, OUR SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER,
AND OF THE SON,
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
AMEN!
Reader: Go in peace, love and serve the Lord.
(leave in silence and listening)
Inspirations and Resources: Iona Worship, Commonprayer.net, northumbriacommunity.org, The Transforming Center, Music GIA Publications, heartoftheartist.org
©CR Transforming Retreats