Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, Ash Wednesday, A (February 18, 2026)
February 18, 2026: Ash Wednesday
All: Joel 2:12-19 (Declare a fast; repent, pray)
All: Psalm 51 (Create in me a clean heart!)
All: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 (Be reconciled to God and one another; now is the
acceptable time!)
All: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (On prayer, fasting, and giving alms)
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Opening Hymn, if you’re not chanting Psalm 51: O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days:
LBW #99, ELW #319, LSB #418
Lenten Hymn, if desired: written by Cathy Ammlung. Or use as the opening hymn
Tune: St. Catherine, “Faith of Our Fathers.”Use refrain as opening line
Glory we give you, God of Grace! In Jesus’ Cross, you grant us peace.
Father almighty, great God and King,
Glorious, gracious, merciful, true,
Our praise and worship and blessing we bring;
Receive it, Lord, as homage due.
Glory we give you, God of grace! In Jesus’ Cross, you grant us peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, your Father’s true Son,
Sin-bearing Lamb, the world’s one true Light,
Grant life and mercy from your heav’nly throne.
Our praise make perfect in your sight.
Glory we give you, God of Grace! In Jesus’ Cross, you grant us peace.
Most Holy Spirit, great God and Lord,
You give us grace to bless and adore
One with the Father and with the Word,
To you be glory forevermore!
Glory we give you, God of Grace! In Jesus’ Cross, you grant us peace.
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Help Us Walk the Servant Way: LSB #857 (Marvelous Herman Stuempfle hymn, to simple tune. Sets tone for Lent. Get one-time license and use it!)
OR Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus: LBW #486, ELW #802, LSB #685
OR O Sun of Justice: WOV #659 (2nd verse great if you preach on 2 Corinthians text; tune is simple plainsong chant, but feel free to sing it to the Doxology, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow)
Communion Hymn 1: Restore in Us, O God: ELW #328
OR O Christ, Thou Lamb of God: LBW #103
OR Just a Closer Walk With Thee: ELW #697
Communion Hymn 2: Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive: LBW #307, ELW #605, LSB #843
OR Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling: WOV 734, ELW #608
Closing Hymn: Bless Now, O God, the Journey: ELW #326
OR Savior, When in Dust to You/Thee: LBW #91, ELW #601, LSB #419
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Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer on behalf of all his people.
A brief silence
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. As you are holy, make us holy. As you are mighty, give us strength to turn from sin to live for you alone. As you are immortal, by the death and resurrection of our Savior Christ, lead us out of death to life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy upon your church. Purge it of false teaching, uncharitable words, and unholy actions. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, and use it to grant the joy of your saving help to all repentant sinners.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy upon all who are persecuted on account of your Jesus. Keep them steadfast in faith, patient in suffering, persistent in prayer, and gracious in forgiving. Soften the hearts of all who despise Christ. Grant them repentance and true faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on seminary and church college professors, on Christian school and preschool teachers and aides, and on everyone seeking to follow Jesus as his disciple. Give wisdom to their minds, eloquence to their tongues, and love to their souls, for you and for all they serve.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on this congregation. Cleanse it so it more perfectly reveals your love for us and those to whom we minister. Grant that we may prefer nothing whatsoever to Jesus Christ, and to sharing his forgiveness and salvation with others.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy upon all converts, all who are preparing for baptism at Easter, and all whose faith wavers because of doubt or despair. Fill them with your Spirit, and bring them into your loving embrace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy upon the nations of the world and their rulers, especially our own. Lead them in paths of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Conform them to your will as they care for the lives entrusted to them. Never let them, or us, forget the needs of the poor, the widow, and the orphan; the dispossessed and unemployed; the sick and forgotten; the abused and the unjustly imprisoned. Give us the means and the will to ease their burden.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on all who stand in harm’s way in defense of life and liberty. Strengthen them in every virtue that increases concord, establishes safety, and protects innocent lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Have mercy on all who suffer in body, mind, heart or soul – especially those who crave our prayers, including: {List}. Refresh their spirits, renew their hope, and restore their joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, keep in your care our beloved dead. Comfort those whose grief runs deep. Help us to encourage one another throughout this troubled life. Keep us steadfast in faith, constant in hope, and warm in love. Lead us from death into the eternal life you have prepared for all whom you have redeemed through the passion of your Son, the Savior of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
