Prayer before the Imposition of the Ashes
Gracious God, You created us out of the dust of the earth and breathed into us the breath of life.By Your hand we live and to Your hands we return when all our days are done.
Grant that the awareness of our mortality may lead us not to fear, but to faith.
In our weakness teach us to look to You for strength, in our failures to turn to You and find forgiveness, and in our dying to await the gift of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen
Imposition of Ashes
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Blessing
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Jeff Gissing 