Praying Together 2021

17 Week Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. COLLECT With ashes as our sign, we begin the forty days of Lent and commit ourselves to fasting, prayer and good works. Let us pray that we may be faithful to Jesus’ call to turn back to him. (pause ) Merciful God, tenderly guide us through this Lenten season. May the ashes we wear today lead us to Christ and the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 6:1, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples: “When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. When you go without eating, don’t try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I promise you that they already have their reward. Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. Then others won’t know that you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Gathered this day in the mercy of God, let us pray for the needs of the world. For joyful service of others: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For strength to do good without a reward: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For respect within our school community: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For reconciliation between nations: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May God bless us and protect us and bring us to eternal life. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Ash Wednesday 17 February 2021 “Your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.”