A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (and for your Birthday Eve!)

Below is a prayer I ran across tonight on Ash Wednesday....

Fast from judging others;

Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of sickness;

Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that tear down;

Feast on speech that builds up.

Fast from discontent;

Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;

Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism;

Feast on hope.

Fast from negatives;

Feast on encouragement.

Fast from bitterness;

Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from selfishness; 

Feast on compassion.

Fast from suspicion;

Feast on truth.

Fast from gossip;

Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm;

Feast on prayer that sustains.

Fast from anxiety;

Feast on faith.

When I received the ashes at church, these words were spoken over me: 

"From dust you have come and to dust you will return. 

Beloved daughter of God- 

you have been made new." 

Beloved Hannah- on the night before your birthday, may you turn your worries into prayers and fast from the things that are weighing you down to allow God's amazing grace to shine on your tomorrow on your birthday!