I heard this song in a morning Ash Wednesday service. The second and third verses touch on areas I struggle in daily so perhaps that’s why I found these words so touching. May this season of sacrifice and surrender bring you new joy and a renewed faith.
Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s ashes as another Lent begins; thus we kneel before our Maker in contrition for our sins. We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray; now, returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day!
We have failed to love our neighbors, their offences to forgive, have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live, we are jealous, proud, impatient, loving over much our things; may the yielding of our failings be our Lenten offerings.
We are hasty to judge others, blind to proof of human need; and our lack of understanding demonstrates our inner greed; we have wasted earth’s resources; want and suffering we’ve ignored; come and cleanse us, then restore us; make new hearts within us, Lord!