Prayer for Ash Wednesday

You shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.  

–Isaiah 58:9   

 

Will You Meet Us?

Will you meet us 
In the ashes,
Will you meet us 
in the ache
And show your face
Within our sorrow 
And offer us 
Your word of grace:

That you are life
Within the dying
That you abide
Within the dust,
That you are what
Survives the burning,
That you arise
To make us new.

And in our aching, 
You are breathing;
And in our weeping, 
You are here
Within the hands
That bear your blessing,
Enfolding us
Within your love.


By Jan Richardson
janrichardson.com

from "Circle of Grace" -  by Jan Richardson