Ash Wednesday: 10 February – Joel 2:12-13; Deuteronomy 7:6-9 ~ tear your hearts

Ash Wednesday

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” (Joel 2:12-13)

Morning Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (NLT)

You are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

Morning Prayer

Thank you, Lord God, for this Lenten season of grace. Cleanse my heart and strengthen me in love through the power of your Holy Spirit at work in me.

+ Father God, your word is life – may my life be nourished and sustained by every word you speak.
+ Christ Jesus, you have born my sin and shown me the way of love – teach me to follow you in the great and small events of my life.
+ Holy Spirit, you live in me even now – give me a spirit of self-denial and move me to help those around me in their need.

Walk with me, Lord God, during this Lenten season as I confront the passions and desires of my sinful nature and nail them, once again, to the Cross of Christ. Holy Spirit, arm me for this season of spiritual warfare that I may follow your leading in every part of my life. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Walk with Me” – Jesus Culture

Blessing

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!