Lent 2021
Prayer for Ash Wednesday and General Intercessions. God our Father, on the day of Baptism we were claimed for Christ our Saviour by the sign of his Cross. On this Ash Wednesday, and in this time of pandemic, we come before you, desiring to fulfil our baptismal promises, by dying to selfishness and by living for Christ. And so, we pledge ourselves, in this Lenten season, to pray, to fast, and to give alms. Father, in your kindness, pour out your blessing upon us, as we make this threefold pledge: The faithful are invited to repeat the following after the priest; while making the pledge the forehead is signed with the Cross, three times with the thumb. • I pledge myself to a time of prayer each day – as I do so, I sign my forehead + with the sign of the Cross. • I pledge myself to fast by denying myself some luxury – as I do so, I sign my forehead + with the sign of the Cross. • I pledge myself to give alms this Lent, by supporting Trocaire, or some other charity – as I do so, I sign my forehead + with the sign of the Cross. By your grace, may we keep this Lenten pledge, in preparation for the joy of Easter. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. General Intercessions Brothers and sisters, as we begin this Lenten season, let us pray, not only for ourselves and our needs, but also for all peoples and nations: • That our Lenten pledge to pray, to fast, and to give alms, may be a source of growth and energy for us as we seek to be of service in our society; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. • That those in authority may seek the ways of justice so that the peoples of the world may be united in peace and harmony; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. • That the cry of this wounded earth, our common home, would touch our hearts, and moves us to greater care and gratitude; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. • That the sick, and those who have grown weak under the burden of years, may know, through our prayers and concern, the presence of Christ; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. • That doctors, nurses, and all who work in our hospitals, and all those who look after the sick and the elderly, may be blessed for the quality and dignity of life which they bring to those in their care; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. • That those saddened by the death of family or friends may find comfort in Christ, and that those who have gone before us in faith now rest in Christ; Let us pray to the Lord. R/. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, we, who desire to serve you with all our heart, confidently ask your help; may we now know your mercy and love in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.