Week 1, Ash Wednesday: Introduction to Lent and The Lord’s Prayer
Scripture: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’” (Matthew 6:9)
Lent is upon us—a season set aside for reflection, repentance, and renewal. It invites us into a time of intentional focus on our spiritual lives, to look inward, and to take a hard but healing look at where we need to change. Ash Wednesday, the first day of this sacred journey, is particularly poignant. We begin this season by receiving ashes on our foreheads, reminding ourselves of our mortality. “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). These solemn words invite us into a space of humility, of repentance, and of recognizing that we are wholly dependent on God. The ashes serve not only as a symbol of our sinfulness but also as a profound sign of grace, for through them we acknowledge both our need for God’s mercy and the hope of renewal.
In this 40-day journey through Lent, we are invited to draw closer to God, to slow down and listen to Him, to seek His transformative presence. And as we begin, we turn to the prayer that Jesus gave us—the Lord’s Prayer—understanding that this prayer is not simply a set of words to recite, but a living guide for how to align our hearts with God’s will, how to approach Him in humility, and how to deepen our relationship with Him. Jesus, in teaching us this prayer, shows us the heart of God and how we are to relate to Him.
The opening words of this prayer are “Our Father in heaven.” These words carry profound significance, calling us into a deeply personal, intimate relationship with God. In calling God “Father,” Jesus redefines our understanding of God. The word Father is not meant to evoke fear or distance, but intimacy and trust. God is not distant, detached, or impersonal. Rather, He is our Father—near, loving, and ever-present.
This title—Father—also carries with it the notion of protection, provision, and care. Just as a father cares for and provides for his children, so God provides for us, sustains us, and nurtures us in ways we cannot fully comprehend. In calling God our Father, Jesus is offering us a glimpse of the relationship that we are invited into. It is a relationship grounded in love, one in which we can trust God to hear our prayers, to comfort us in our sorrow, to guide us in our decisions, and to embrace us as His children.
The word “Our” adds another layer of depth to these opening words. By using the plural “Our,” Jesus reminds us that this prayer is not only personal but communal. We are not isolated individuals praying to a distant deity; we are part of a global family, united in faith and grace. Prayer, in this sense, is a shared experience. It is a reminder that when we pray, we are not alone—our prayers are joined with those of our brothers and sisters across the world, and even with those who have gone before us. Our God is the Father of all believers, and we share in that divine family, bound together in faith and love.
As we receive the ashes today, we are also reminded that we are not just individuals but part of a collective body—the Church. This body, though broken and imperfect, is united in Christ, and together we seek His mercy and grace. The ashes on our foreheads point to our need for God’s forgiveness and our call to be part of the family of God, redeemed and renewed through Christ.
The act of repentance that we begin today sets the tone for the journey of transformation that lies ahead. But repentance is not just about acknowledging our sin—it is also about embracing the hope of redemption. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are offered not only forgiveness but new life. The ashes are a mark of our humility, but they also point to the resurrection that is to come. They are a sign that through repentance, we can experience renewal and transformation, growing more into the image of Christ.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean to you to call God “Father”? How does this shape your understanding of your relationship with Him, especially in times of struggle or joy?
- How can you embrace the communal nature of prayer during this Lenten season? What does it look like to pray not just for yourself but with and for the wider family of believers?
- In what ways do you need to return to God today, acknowledging your need for His mercy, and trusting in His grace to make you whole again?
Prayer:
Gracious Father, as we begin this Lenten journey, we draw near to You with humble hearts, recognizing our need for Your mercy and grace. Help us to approach You with the trust of beloved children, knowing that You are a Father who cares, who listens, and who heals. May this season of reflection deepen our relationship with You, and may we be transformed by Your love. Teach us to pray with sincerity, seek You with our whole hearts, and walk these 40 days in faith, hope, and trust. Amen.