Ash Wednesday

3.5.2025

[Biblical Texts]

Psalm 51:1-17

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Psalm 51:1-17

Contemplation Questions

Take a moment to identify a word, phrase, or verse that resonates with you. Reflect on its significance to you today. How might your heartfelt conversation with God unfold?

For me, it’s verse 6 from The Message Bible: "What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life."

How might my heartfelt conversation with God be? I might sob joyfully like a child. I would give thanks to God for Jesus, who is the truth. I would express my gratitude for God's unwavering willingness to not give up on me and for accepting my humble invitation to enter my life and conceive a new, true life within me. This is my desire—to have God journey with me during Lent.

I invite you to join me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, as our Lord Jesus called You,

We come before You with humble and contrite hearts, seeking Your forgiveness and mercy. Cleanse us from our sins whenever we distance ourselves from You. Purify our hearts whenever we prioritize anything other than You to guide our lives. Renew a steadfast spirit within each of us and restore the joy of Your salvation within us.

May we be more aware of Your presence in our lives. May You guide us in walking the path of righteousness and give us the strength to show compassion and kindness to others, just as You have shown us. May Your love and mercy be a beacon of hope and healing for ourselves and those around us.

As it is said in verse 10: "Create in us a clean heart, O God, and let our lives be testimonies of Your grace and goodness." In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Contemplation Questions

Take a moment to identify a word, phrase, or verse that resonates with you. Reflect on its significance to you today. How might your heartfelt conversation with God unfold?

For me, it’s the last part of 6:2 from The Message Bible: "God reminds us, 'I heard your call in the nick of time; the day you needed me, I was there to help.' Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped."

How might my heartfelt conversation with God be? I might be filled with overwhelming joy for meeting God with a new, true life created within me, while also feeling awed by the knowledge that God can see into my deepest thoughts. I would ask God to help me live each day with the joy of salvation. Whenever I experience a sense of inner peace, hope, freedom, and gratitude, I want to thank God for the gift of reconciliation—a precious gift given to the world through the life of Jesus, one that I often unintentionally take for granted, letting it go unnoticed and unnamed.

I invite you to join me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, as our Lord Jesus called You,

Thank You for calling Your holy and beloved children to be ambassadors for Christ and for entrusting us with the message of reconciliation. Help us embody Your love and grace in all that we do and say, and guide us to be faithful servants of Your mission.

Grant us the strength to endure hardships and challenges with a spirit of perseverance and hope. May Your Holy Spirit fill us with purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness, so that we may reflect Your light to those around us. Teach us to embrace the paradoxes of our faith, finding strength in weakness, honor in dishonor, and fullness in having nothing. Open our hearts to receive Your grace and to be transformed by Your love.

In all things, may our lives, whether individually or communally, be testimonies to Your goodness and faithfulness. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Contemplation Questions

Take a moment to identify a word, phrase, or verse that resonates with you. Reflect on its significance to you today. How might your heartfelt conversation with God unfold?

For me, it is verse 6:21 from The Message Bible: "It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."

How might my heartfelt conversation with God be? I might ask God if I could catch a glimpse of all the treasures in our heavenly home. I assume some of the treasures I would see would be reconciled relationships that speak volumes about God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy. I wonder if God would show me the treasures I have accumulated that reflect God's desire for the world and glorify Him. The atmosphere, I suspect, would not be overwhelming, but rather soothing, alleviating, and comforting—much like the impact Jesus has made in the world.

I invite you to join me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, as our Lord Jesus called You,

Thank You for Your Word that guides and instructs us on our faith journey. Help us cultivate a pure heart and genuine devotion in our acts of giving, praying, and fasting.

Grant us the humility to serve and give without seeking recognition, knowing that You see and reward what is done in secret. Guard us against hypocrisy in life. Deepen our relationship with You through intimate prayer.

May we store up treasures in heaven rather than seeking earthly rewards. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.