Ash Wednesday

Events > 2022 > March > Ash Wednesday

About this event:

Created by occwebsite

Ash Wednesday is a day on the liturgical calendar to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40 days (not counting Sundays) that lead up to Easter.

Lent is seen as a season of fasting and setting things aside.

Those of us within non-liturgical churches often avoid these markers. (We only celebrate the big ones like Christmas and Easter). But there is value in taking time to focus, to remember, to practice.

The tradition of Ash Wednesday is to have the forehead rubbed with ashes in the shape of a cross, as a mark of confession and forgiveness.

This Lent, we invite you to fast, if it is possible for you, at least one meal on Wednesday, to pray specifically for God’s intervention in our world, especially in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Many churches around the world a calling for this.

Here are a couple of posts about fasting.

spiritual practices fasting

fasting guidelines

If you are not sure how to pray, here is a pray from my friend
Rev. Dr. R. Glenn Ball
Moderator of the Synod of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

We pray together that a just solution may be found to this unjust action which is bringing so much pain and suffering to the people of Ukraine.

God of peace and justice, we pray for the Ukrainian people today.
We pray for the Ukrainian people who are fleeing from violence to protect their lives and families
We pray for peace and the turning of swords into ploughshares that the instruments of war may be replaced with respect for human life.
We pray for all who fear for tomorrow, that they may find the consolation of Your Holy Spirit.
We pray for those who have power over war or peace, for world leaders and church leaders as they seek to restore peace in the world through wisdom, discernment and compassion.
Turn the hearts of those who are invading Ukraine – who make for violence, that they may learn instead the paths of Your peace.
God of all the nations, who has called us to be ambassadors of reconciliation in our world we pray that we may pour out Your healing on those who suffer at other’s hands.
We pray for You to bind up the wounds of the broken, restore hope to the lost and bring those who have died into Your eternal presence.
We pray for all of Your precious children, that they may know that You hold and protect them.
This we pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and the Lord of life.
Amen.
Blessings