An Ash Wednesday Collect

Almighty God, judge of all creation, we are a stiff-necked people, who find it difficult to humble ourselves and be vulnerable because of our fear and shame. Give us grace and safety to admit our failings, our weaknesses, our needs, our sin, that there would be space for forgiveness and mercy and we would turn in repentance to your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

'Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?' - Isaiah 58:5