Ash Wednesday: The First Day of Lent
Self denial
Sentence
Examine me O God and know my heart, test me and discover my thoughts, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23,24
Collects
Jesus, holy and strong,
by your fasting and temptation teach us self-denial;
control and discipline us,
that we may learn to obey.
Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts,
so that when we turn to you and confess our sins
we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
God of the desert, as we follow Jesus into the unknown,
may we recognise the tempter when he comes;
let it be your bread we eat,
your world we serve and you alone we worship.
New Zealand Book of Prayer, pg. 573