Ash Wednesday Prayer to start Lent 2023 – Chapéus – Blog

After all the Carnival revelry, Lent begins, a time of reflection and repentance. A Ash Wednesday prayer It is indicated for the spiritual process of purification and renewal. The important thing is that it is done with confidence in the process and with a real desire to change whatever is necessary in your life.

What can’t you do on Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts until Thursday of Holy Week, just before Easter. It is a period of reflection and repentance for Christians. It functions as a spiritual retreat, to retreat into meditation and prayer. The 40 days refer to the time when Jesus was alone in the desert, being provoked by the devil.

Catholic tradition for the date indicates stopping eating red meat, to represent Jesus’ sacrifice. On that date, it is recommended to go to mass to be blessed with a little ash from burnt branches used on Palm Sunday the previous year.

What prayer to say on Ash Wednesday?

There are options with specific sayings for the moment, but you can say any prayer that provides a greater connection with spirituality. The tip is to look for a quiet place, where you will not be interrupted. If you want, you can light a candle and/or incense. Sit comfortably and take deep breaths until you notice that your body and mind are more relaxed. Close your eyes and reflect on your life and your attitudes. Ask for superior help to light your path and assist in the changes necessary for your personal growth. Carefully and faithfully read the Ash Wednesday prayer:

“Almighty and eternal God, you hate nothing that you have created, and you forgive the sins of those who repent; he creates in us new and contrite hearts, so that, crying over our sins and recognizing our corruption, we obtain from You, most merciful God, forgiveness and perfect remission.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.”

Source: Justus Anglican

Fresh Start Prayer for Ash Wednesday

“Oh! God, whoever it is, prevent me from once again closing the doors to the new person who wants to enter my life.

Give me hope and confidence that there is a horizon waiting for me and that it only depends on me to start walking.

I want more and more to seek the truth in my feelings, to listen to the voice of my heart.

Guide my steps, show me the path to follow.

I want to leave behind my burdens, my guilt and walk lightly and free on Earth, grateful to everything and everyone, appreciating the path, planting flowers in the gardens of life, loving as much as possible, being pure in soul and heart. May I attract the right people into my life, the right events and may I free myself from attachment, fear, regret and sadness. Amen.”

Source: Franco Guizzetti – Portal Terra

Prayer for the beginning of Lent

“God, creator of my life, renew me: bring me to a new life in You. Touch me and make me feel whole again. Help me to see Your Love in the Passion, death and Resurrection of Your Son. Help me observe Lent in a way that allows me to celebrate that same Love.

Help me prepare to live these weeks of Lent, as I feel deep sorrow for my sins and Your Eternal Love for me. Holy Father, may Jesus send the Holy Spirit upon me, leading me in this time favorable to a sincere conversion.

I need, Lord, to live the Grace of my Baptism, dying to what is not Yours and living in conformity with Your Will. May Your Word guide me during all the days of this Lenten Retreat. With Fasting, Prayer and industrious Charity, combined with penance, I hope for New Life at Easter! Amen!

Source: In the Footsteps of Mary

Lenten Prayer

“Lord and Master of my life, remove from me the spirit of laziness, dejection, dominion, and talkativeness, and grant to me, your servant, a spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love. Yes, Lord and king, grant to see my sins and not judge my brothers because you are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.”

Source: Saint Ephren the Syrian

Prayer of Lent

“Lord, in this Lent, a time to delve into myself, to review and convert, teach me to descend ever further to where You are: my heart. How to ‘get down’ there?

For silence, finding time to pray, for reading Your Word that means so much to me, for the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Mass.

Also by accepting setbacks, the weight of circumstances and the monotony of life… with our eyes fixed on You.

Lord, You who are within me, help me this Lent to take a journey within me, to meet You there! Amen.”

Source: Blessed Carmelite – With Shalom

Read more: prayer of Our Lady of Aparecida.