Triune God -
One in Three. Three in One.
We return to You today with all our hearts. We fast, we weep, we mourn as we bless our dust and befriend our wounds.
We return to You for You are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Sanctify our gathered assemblies.
We return to You with broken spirits - broken and contrite hearts. May Your abundant mercy wash us whiter than snow, deliver us from our crushed bones, and restore to us the joy of Your salvation.
We return to You because now is the acceptable time - now is the day of salvation! Transform us. Turn our death into life, our sorrow into rejoicing, our nothingness into everything.
We return to You to anoint our heads and discern where our treasure lies. May our heart’s treasure rest in Your presence - where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
In the name of the One who sees us, redeems us, and reconciles us, we pray.
Amen.
(Today’s prayer comes from Ash Wednesday’s four readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.)