DEVOTION//An Ash Wednesday meditation
316NOW is offering you an Ash Wednesday meditation.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of 40 days Christians have traditionally used to consider the price the Son of God was willing to pay to forgive their sins. During these six weeks, believers examine themselves for the many ways sin infects their lives, repent of their sinfulness, and, through the accounts of Jesus’ Passion, seek renewed appreciation for their Jesus-won forgiveness.
Use the verses of the Lenten hymn, Jesus, I will ponder now, for an Ash Wednesday meditation. After each verse, contemplate what you have read. Then use those words to form a prayer.
Jesus, I will ponder now On your holy passion;
With your Spirit me endow For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith May the image cherish
Of your suff'ring, pain, and death That I may not perish.
My response: ____________.
Make me see your great distress, Anguish, and affliction,
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness And your crucifixion:
Make me see how scourge and rod, Spear and nails did wound you,
How for them you died, O God, Who with thorns had crowned you.
My response: ____________.
Yet, O Lord, not thus alone Make me see your passion,
But its cause to me make known And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin Wrought your deep affliction;
This indeed the cause has been Of your crucifixion.
My response: ____________.
Grant that I your passion view With repentant grieving,
Let me not bring shame to you By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun Ev'ry sinful pleasure
Since for me God's only Son Suffered without measure?
My response: ____________.
If my sins give me alarm And my conscience grieve me,
Let your cross my fear disarm; Peace of conscience give me.
Help me see forgiveness won By your holy passion.
If for me he slays his Son, God must have compassion!
My response: ____________.
Graciously my faith renew; Help me bear my crosses,
Learning humbleness from you, Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give you love for love! Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heav'n above Sing your praise forever.
My response: ____________.