Prayer, day 1845: For Ash Wednesday

As dawn parts the curtain of night,
let us fall upon our knees
before our Creator and Redeemer. 

Lord God, we confess to You all our sins-
those done by us, and those done in our name. 

We confess to You all our ruptured relationships,
sundered by fear, loss of hope, and idolatry of self. 

May we renounce our casual acceptance
of the pain of others
in the name of our own comfort. 

May we seek forgiveness,
that we rededicate ourselves
to being healing hands in the world.
Let us purify our souls,
and be strengthened to walk
in the pathways of holiness and righteousness. 

Refine us, renew us, O Merciful One:
our hearts are outstretched like open hands,
to be charged with your grace and light. 

We pray now for all who seek You,
and for all who put their trust in You, Gracious Savior.

Amen.
1114

Photo: Detail from Francisco de Zurberan, St. Francis Contemplating a Skull, 1635, photographed at the St. Louis Art Museum in 2011; more information here.