Prayer on Ash Wednesday

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Ash Wednesday, 05 March 2025
Joel 2:12-18 + 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 + Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

As we begin our
40-day journey to Easter
this Season of Lent 
with Ash Wednesday,
I pray only for one thing,
dear Lord Jesus:
let me find my way,
my direction
to you.

Rend my heart, Jesus:
take away my pride
and fill me with your
humility,
justice,
and love;
let me enter my heart
more often these days
to commune in you
to be one with you
as you dwell here
in my heart.

Help me create
a space for you, Jesus
and for others
I have taken for granted
especially those who
truly care for me,
those at the margins
those I avoid;
let me be reconciled
with you, Jesus
beginning today
a very acceptable time,
a day of salvation in you.

May this ash on my
forehead direct me 
to my origin
and destination in the Father
in heaven
through you, Jesus,
who suffered,
died and rose again
for me.
Amen.