Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Jesus invites us to walk with him during Lent,
meeting and being present with the humble and poor.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus beckons us to a way of risk,
letting go of our security.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus challenges us to listen to the voices
of those who have nothing to lose.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus points us to a way of self-giving,
where power and status are overturned.
Let us walk his way with joy.

Jesus calls us to follow the way of the cross,
where despair is transformed by the promise of new life.
Let us walk his way with joy.

This prayer was adapted from a prayer by Jan Berry in England, based on Mark 9:34-37, 10:17-31, 12:14-44, and Luke 14:12-14, 22:24-27. The prayer was first published in the book, Bread of Tomorrow: Prayers for the Church Year, 1992, Orbis Press