Late Lenten Prayer

God of Justice and Hope,
Journey with us
as we begin our way to the cross this Lenten season
As we reflect on your life,
Your example calls out our personal and corporate sins
From Bethlehem to Nazareth,
we see where we have forgotten who we are
from Jordan to Jericho,
we see where we have ignored people out of fear of the “other”
from Bethany to Jerusalem,
we see where we have distorted what it means to have faith.
Even as we now are painfully reminded of these sins and more…
We thank you that as we walk the road of regret,
your presence sustains us.
Help us let go of our past, that we may turn toward you
and live again the life of faith.
Help us call out our fear and hatred, our anger and self-pity….
Lift the burden they place on our shoulders.
Help us set aside our guilt and enter a season of healing.
As we pray and fast today, help us become simple people,
that we may see you plainly.
May our fasting be hunger for justice;
our gifts and contributions, a making of peace;
our prayer, be the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
As we wear the mark of ashes,
rekindle the sign of hope within our eyes.
Let us draw near to you even now
And as we come wearing ashes
we bring our sin and all our baggage,
and we fall into your loving arms this day
looking to you, O God, as the one
who endlessly loves us
and the one in whom the hope of new life rests. Amen