A prayer for Ash Wednesday

Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless the journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth.

As we remember our mortality and seek penitence today, we know you to be a God who is rich in forgiveness and abounding in steadfast love, love that culminates in eternal life with you. Guide our steps this Lent, so that we might find greater fulfillment in your promises and better serve others with a heart that’s reflective of you. Amen.

ALSO READ: 5 Easter traditions around the world

Ash Wednesday is on March 5, in 2025.

The observance of Ash Wednesday has its roots in the early Christian church and the custom of using ashes for religious rituals is much older, symbolizing penance and mortality. The connection between ashes and repentance is biblical.

In the Book of Daniel (9:3) and the Book of Jonah (3:6), the act of wearing sackcloth and covering oneself in ashes is associated with repentance and mourning. By the 7th century, the Catholic Church had formalized the practice, with Ash Wednesday becoming the official day for Christians to begin their observance of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter.

ALSO READ: Here are foods to avoid during Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is March 5, 2025. Lent runs through April 17.

The ashes are gathered from burning the previous year's palm branches used during Palm Sunday and the ashes is applied in the shape of a cross on the forehead.  

Ash Wednesday is to be observed by fasting and abstinence. No meat is allowed and only one meal should be eaten on this day.

Palm Sunday is April 13, in 2025.

Good Friday is April 18, in 2024. This is when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Easter is on Sunday, April 20, in 2025. Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death through his resurrection.

Ash Wednesday reminds us of the need for repentance and the importance of spiritual renewal. Its significance goes beyond the ashes on our foreheads; it calls us to reflect on our relationship with God, to seek forgiveness for our sins, and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.

ALSO READ: The oldest church in Nigeria is in Abeokuta