Feasting on Prayer

Fasting, as you know, is one of the encouraged disciplines in the Season of Lent. William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) an American author, teacher and pastor shared a litany to encourage our fasting from certain mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and actions while feasting on certain other mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and actions in this Lenten Season. Among other exhortations he encouraged us to:

Fast from unrelenting worries; Feast on unceasing prayer

In Lent 2014 the people and friends of St. Hugh's are sharing prayers that have been handed on to them, prayers used by them, prayers they want to share with you: a feast of unceasing prayers.

A new entry will be available each day beginning with Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014). The newest entry will be at the top. To view earlier entries scroll through the list. Some entries will have commentary, all will come from the experiences and the hearts of the people and friends of St. Hugh's Episcopal Church. 

May we all find blessing in fasting from unrelenting pressures, anxiety, depression, worry and the like, while feasting on prayer.

Lent, Day 1: Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect for Ash Wednesday
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 264

We begin "Feasting on Prayer" with the Collect of Ash Wednesday, a prayer many of us have heard every year for, well, for a long time. Hear it afresh this year ~dan rondeau, vicar