Between the Ashes – A Lenten Prayer

David Long-Higgins

(Heartland Conference Minister, United Church of Christ)

 

Reveal, O Holy One,

Between ashes to ashes

And dust to dust

A love that lives

In and through

Beginnings and endings

In perpetual rising

To life and love

And falling into mysteries

Of the eternal unseen

Embrace of You.

~

Yes, form me in Your Lent

Inviting attentions

Often overlooked

In other daily rhythms

Too busy or afraid

To notice or trust

This larger Life

In which You hold

Everyone and everything.

~

Let Your grand motion,

Unseen for largeness,

Like one who stands

On spinning planet

In cosmos too large

To comprehend,

Save for the delight

Of sunrise or sunset,

Grant an awakening

Awe at the mystery

Of being alive.

~

In stillness, You come

In constant invitation

Remaking the world

Even as it resists

This in-breaking of you

In the space of “to”

Within and beyond

Ashes “to” ashes.

And dust “to” dust.

~

Awaken me, O Love,

To this and more

Than I can imagine

That something of Christ

May rise in this little life

You have created of me

For this season of cosmic

Unfolding of justice, mercy

And unending grace.

  ~

And let it be

More than enough

For the in-between

Of Your Holy now.


Lenten Calendar Suggestion

Give away clothes or things you no longer need.