Ash Wednesday

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14


Ash Wednesday

God be merciful I have sinned
walked away from responsibility
thought myself better than others
turned away from others in need.

God be merciful to a sinner
my selfish heart leads me astray
I wander away from good gifts
and set what I truly need aside.

Mend me and heal me
draw the circle wide
let the love of God shine in
take away my dark angry heart.


God be merciful to a sinner
I take too much leave too little
the overflow is my shame
and generosity is my lack.


God be merciful to a sinner
I have hidden the talents
let fear be my guide
and shut the door on possibilities.

Mend me and heal me
draw the circle wide
let the love of God shine in
take away my dark angry heart.

God be merciful to a sinner
let me walk this lenten journey
in your presence in your light
make me new and make me whole again.

God be merciful to a sinner
I cannot change without you near
my failure surrounds me
help me kneel to be reborn.

Mend me and heal me
draw the circle wide
let the love of God shine in
take away my dark angry heart.