Sola Publishing – Prayers of the Church
Ash Wednesday – March 5, 2025
Sola Online Worship Resource Site - © 2016, Sola Publishing: www.solapublishing.org
(permission granted to active subscribers to reproduce and edit this sheet for local congregational use)

Prayer of the Day
Historical Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1549) 
Thematic Collect
Merciful God, turn our hearts toward you, bringing us to repentance.  Through your great mercy, grant us clean hearts and renew in us a right spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.
Prayers of the Church
For Forgiveness and Repentance
Most Merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. Create in us clean hearts and renew in us a right spirit. By the power of your redeeming word make  your church a living witness of your saving grace. Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer.
For Ash Wednesday
Heavenly Father, we come before you this day in humility and contrition repenting of our sins and receiving your merciful forgiveness. Just as an ashen cross is a sign of our repentance and your mercy, may our lives be signs of your forgiving love. Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer.
For mercy and Love 
Gracious Lord God, you have shown us overwhelming mercy and endless love. Send us out into your world as those who seek to be merciful and loving in all our everyday encounters. Through us bring your righteousness to bear in your world. Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer.
For Healing 
Healer of creation, we pray that all who suffer in body, mind, and spirit may find in the midst of all of life’s tribulations your peace and comfort. [We pray particularly for …]. Turn their mourning into dancing, their sadness into joy, and their despair into hopefulness.  Lord in your mercy … hear our prayer.