Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Today is a good time to think about how you would like Lent to change you this year. Many of us need help with anxiety, for example. We’d focus on ways to help with that on this blog during Lent.
Every Lent, I always do a reading program. You also can consider the ways you can make changes to your patterns of in prayer, fasting and generosity.
Once you, under God’s guidance (of course), develop your program, having an Ash Wednesday service is always useful. If your church does not celebrate Ash Wednesday, here’s a service you can do at home.
Write down a list of your sins. Burn the paper in a bowl or ashtray. Then pray:
Let us ask our Heavenly Father to bless these ashes, which we will use as a mark of our repentance. Lord, bless these ashes. Wearing them reminds us that we are from the dust of the earth. Pardon our sins and keep us faithful to the resolutions that we have made for Lent. Help us to prepare well for the celebration of your Son's glorious resurrection. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Mark each person’s forehead in the sign of the cross saying, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.”
Close with this prayer:
Loving Father, today we start Lent. From today, we make a new start to be more loving and kind. Help us to show more concern for the less fortunate, the hungry and the poor. Help us to love you more and speak to you more often. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Next time, some recommendations for releasing anxiety to the Lord. We've talked about this during the election.
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This is a beautiful and thoughtful reflection on the start of Lent! The emphasis on using this season as a time for spiritual growth and letting go of anxiety is especially meaningful. The suggestion to create a personal Ash Wednesday service at home is a wonderful way to bring deeper intention into the season, especially for those who may not have access to a church service.
I appreciate the encouragement to reflect on personal habits in prayer, fasting, and generosity—such an important reminder that Lent is about transformation, not just sacrifice. Looking forward to the upcoming recommendations on releasing anxiety! 🙏✨
Sorry for the delay in responding. We’ve been dealing with the flu. Thank you for your kind words. God wants us to be at peace, and we want control. That sets us up for so much unhappiness!