February 25, 2009 – Ash Wednesday

Today is the day that begins Lent, a 40 day period (not counting Sundays) prior to Easter that is used in the Christian tradition as a period of preparation for Easter through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial (often in the form of a fast).

In the Protestant circles that I run and minister in, it is not infrequent that we overlook much of what our more orthodox brothers and sisters in faith observe. Perhaps one of the things we wrestle with most involves confession. While this is not a sacrament in the United Methodist Church, it is none-the-less a very important practice.

After all, James reminds us, “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”

So that is what the daily prayer focus for the season of Lent is going to be…confession. The prayers of the following 40 days will involve both confession and pardon. You will note that each Sunday in Lent will have the exact same prayer; it is the seventh step prayer from the recovery circles that I am still involved in. It is a letting go---a turning over to God---all the things from the week of examination and confession that has just gone past.

I invite you to keep a prayer journal during this Lenten season. Keep note of the things that the Holy Spirit highlights in your life. Keep notes of how God is working in and through you during this process. Hopefully we can share our experiences with one after the proclamation of the Risen Christ.

I did a similar exercise a number of years ago, and I was truly blessed by the depth of self examination and confession that came from praying such prayers on a daily basis. My hope and prayer for each of you is that you will experience depth, growth, peace, forgiveness, hope, and a strengthening of your faith as we sojourn towards the resurrection.

Here is today’s prayer:

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your lovingkindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.
For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.
Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-W.E. Orchard, England, 20th Cent., Alt. (BOW 475a)

This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.