ASH WEDNESDAY
Loving Father, merciful to all, cleanse us from our sins and kindle within us the fire of your Spirit. Throughout our Lenten journey be at work within us: transform our stony hearts into hearts that are vibrant with life, hearts that love and adore you, hearts that delight in following you, and that find their peace in the saving work of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This Collect is used daily until the First Sunday of Lent.
THE FIRST WEEK IN LENT
Most merciful Father, your blessed Son was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the Evil One. Amid our own temptations, come quickly to our aid, that we, weak and sinful though we are, may behold your power and find you mighty to save. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This Collect is used on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this Week.
Father, your blessed Son fasted for our sake for forty days and forty nights. Give us the grace to make proper use of these days of abstinence, that we may deepen our self-discipline, pursue righteousness, and grow in holiness. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Loving Father, you have committed to human hands the ministry of reconciliation. We humbly beseech you, through the working of your Spirit, to inspire the hearts of many to offer themselves to your service, that the whole human race may be drawn to enter your blessed kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal Father, giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders of ministry to serve in your Church. Give your grace to [___, and to] all who are [now] called to Holy Orders. Fill them with your truth and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve you, to the glory of your Name and to the benefit of your holy Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
Gracious Father, we confess that we have no power within ourselves to help ourselves. Keep us secure in both body and soul, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from every evil assault that may target our souls. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
We beseech you, Father, to behold the heartfelt desires of your servants, and to stretch forth the right hand of your power to be our defense against all who might do us harm. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT
Father, grant that we who justly deserve to be punished for our sins may, through your compassion, be pardoned and restored to fellowship with you, through the merits and mercies of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.