A prayer for Ash Wednesday
March 2, 2022
Today Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and the journey toward Holy Week. This is a holy day too, when many of us will hear again ancient words of the fragility of life and of grace – that God has formed us ‘from the dust of the earth’, that we are mortal, and yet in God’s hands we remain. May this new season of the church be a time of deep reflection and meaning pointing us to new life.
Assembly National Consultant Rev Lindsay Cullen has offered this prayer, as today we also join with others across the world in praying for peace in Ukraine and other parts of our beloved yet hurting and ashen world.
Loving God,
Sometimes we look around the world and we see ash.
In Australia we may see the results of bushfires — ashen trunks, blackened grass and burnt limbs.
In Ukraine. we see ruined buildings, rubble and wounded people.
In Queensland, we see loss of life and livelihoods, homes and precious items due to floods.
In Tonga, we see the aftermath of volcanic eruption - the struggle to rebuild, to clean up ash, and provide clean water.
And sometime the ash we see is in our lives.
Broken relationships, lost jobs, lost homes, lost hopes and dreams.
The ashes of grief in the loss of loved ones.
Today we are invited to consider ashes as an entry into a period of contemplation and repentance,
of focus and consideration of the suffering and the faithfulness of Jesus.
We may be marked or mark ourselves with an ashen sign of the cross,
to remember that we are marked by our discipleship and commitment to follow Christ.
And we are reminded that Jesus shared our human journey.
That God in Christ also experienced loss, grief, terror and oppression.
And there is green.
Green shoots from ashen trees.
Compassion, solidarity and rebuilding in times of national and global tragedy.
Caring, sharing and the possibility of healing in our personal tragedies.
In many Christian traditions, the ashes are created from the green leaves of Palm Sunday,
which will return again this year.
The Ash of this day, and the repentance and contemplation of Lent will in time
give way to the vindication and joy of Easter.
But for now, we see ash.
By your Spirit be with us in this Ash Wednesday.
Through Jesus, lead us through the season of Lent.
Inspire us, loving God, to mirror your care and compassion for all,
and seek the way of peace and justice,
when we look around the world and we see ash.
In the name of Christ we pray,
Amen.
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