The Priest introduces the prayers:
My brothers and sisters, Lent puts before us the whole mystery of salvation, through which God’s merciful love is revealed in Jesus Christ. We ask God our Father for his help that we may use this season of preparation for Easter wisely and well.
Reader:
We pray for the Church and her members,
let them not neglect the grace they have received but turn again to the Lord in fervent prayer and repentance.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for the leaders of the world,
let them understand that man does not live by bread alone, and seek, by their laws, a deeper meaning to life by reconciling all men to each other.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for those who are caught in the snare of sin,
let them be faithful to the Gospel which will bring about in them a change of heart, and turning again to the light of grace, let them abandon the ways of sin.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for the members of this congregation,
let the giving of ashes today be a sign to us that material things will disappear and help us to give more attention to the things of the spirit.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Mary’s life was filled with prayer, with her we pray. Hail Mary.
We pray for a moment in silence.
The Priest concludes the prayers:
Father, complete your work of spiritual renewal during Lent, and throughout the years ahead, as we spend our lives in your loving, prayerful service. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.