I just got back from our church's Ash Wednesday service. It is a non-denominational, Protestant church, so it has its own feel. In any event, I thought I'd share our theme verse and prayer from the service. As we head into Lent, it was a good service to get me in the proper mind--and spirit--set:
Father, we have all sinned. We have all fallen short of Your glory. The wickedness of man remains great on the earth. Every intent of the thoughts of our hearts is only evil continually.
While you have provided us with all good things, we have chosen to worship the creation, rather than the creator. Having once been given new life and hope, we continue to struggle with the false promises of false gods.
But You alone are God, the one true God. You are our only hope. All good things flow from You, for Your glory. Give us this brief moment in time--here in this service and during the coming 40 days--to dwell on our place in eternity.
Let us see that we are but dust, yet you redeem. Allow us to grasp anew the depth of our sin. Let that darkness serve as a constant reminder of the brightness you bring--if we repent.
Lord, forgive our sin, we know not what we do.
Amen.
Psalm 51:1: "Have Mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions."
We are but dust, and to dust we shall return...
Thomas More
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