Lent Daybook, 1: Ash Wednesday
Welcome to a Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer.
Is this your first time to practice Lent? Here's a simple introduction.
Look: Examen III, Marissa Voytenko
Listen: “Ash Wednesday’s Early Morn”, from Lent, Liturgical Folk, Vol. 4, feat. Lauren Plank Goans
Spotify | YouTube | Lyrics
Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify - Lent: Worship & Prayer 2019. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’
“Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
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”O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
*
”Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
*
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 1) with the Psalm for the Morning Office.
Pray:
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Attend an Ash Wednesday service
It’s an important service for all ages!
If you live in the Fairfield County area of Connecticut, you are most welcome to join us at Church of the Apostles. (7 PM at Roger Ludlowe Middle School Auditorium, Fairfield)
You can read the scripture and prayers for the Ash Wednesday service in the Book of Common Prayer here.
You might also find this brief interview helpful: Ash Wednesday Explained via The Homely Hours
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(See all Lent daybook posts from 2018 here.)