The idea of national repentance seems at first sight to provide such an edifying contrast to that national self-righteousness of which England is so often accused and with which she entered (or is said to have entered) the last war, that a Christian naturally turns to it with hope. Young Christians especially-last-year undergraduates and first-year curates- are turning to it in large numbers. They are ready to believe that England bears part of the guilt for the present war, and ready to admit their own share in the guilt of England. What that share is, I do not find it easy to determine. Most of these young men were children, and none of them had a vote or the experience which would enable them to use a vote wisely, when England made many of those decisions to which the present disorders could plausibly be traced. Are they, perhaps, repenting what they have in no sense done?

If they are, it might be supposed that their error is very harmless: men fail so often to repent their real sins that the occasional repentance of an imaginary sin might appear almost desirable. But what actually happens (I have watched it happening) to the youthful national penitent is a little more complicated than that. England is not a natural agent, but a civil society. When we speak of England’s actions we mean the actions of the British government. The young man who is called upon to repent of England’s foreign policy is really being called upon to repent the acts of his neighbor; for a foreign secretary or a cabinet minister is certainly a neighbor. And repentance presupposes condemnation. The first and fatal charm of national repentance is, therefore, the encouragement it gives us to turn from the bitter task of repenting our own sins to the congenial one of bewailing-but, first, of denouncing-the conduct of others.

–-C.S. Lewis, “Dangers of national repentance”

"Jesus is not a figure from the past: He continues now and always to light the way for us." – #PopeFrancis #ThursdayafterAshWednesday

📷 The Suffering Christ / © 1971yes / #GettyImages. #Catholic_Priest #CatholicPriestMedia #Lent2025 pic.twitter.com/jRMnpho0rb

— Catholic Priest Media (@Catholic_Priest) March 6, 2025

On that Wednesday, throughout the world,
as it is appointed, priests bless
clean ashes in church, and then lay them
on people’s heads, so that they may remember
that they came from earth and will return again to dust,
just as Almighty God said to Adam,
after he had sinned against God’s command:
‘In labour you shall live and in sweat you shall eat
your bread upon the earth, until you return again
to the same earth from which you came,
for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’
This is not said about the souls of mankind,
but about their bodies, which moulder to dust,
and shall again on Judgement Day, through the power of our Lord,
rise from the earth, all who ever lived,
just as all trees quicken again in the season of spring
which were deadened by the winter’s chill.

Read it all.

'Þu eart dust and to duste gewendst.' An Anglo-Saxon Ash Wednesday and the link between Lent and spring: https://t.co/gW6skHKmRv

The word 'Lent' comes from the Old English word for spring, 'lencten', the season when the days are lengthening. pic.twitter.com/gDszcwXwJe

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) March 2, 2022

Divine Physician, your Name is blessed for the work and witness of the Mayos and the Menningers, and the revolutionary developments that they brought to the practice of medicine. As Jesus went about healing the sick as a sign of the reign of God come near, bless and guide all those inspired to the work of healing by thy Holy Spirit, that they may follow his example for the sake of thy kingdom and the health of thy people; through the same Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever.

In 1931, Dr. William J. Mayo observed, "Each day, as I go through the hospitals surrounded by younger men [and women], they give me of their dreams and I give them of my experience, and I get the better of the exchange." #MedEd https://t.co/5lMYFAjGZD

— Mayo Clinic Transplantation Surgery (@MCTransplntSurg) March 3, 2025

Holy God, you know the disorder of our sinful lives: by your Spirit set straight, our crooked hearts, and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (slightly edited; KSH).

As we begin the season of Lent, let us put down deep roots of hope by connecting with God.

Find ways to follow our daily Lent reflections at https://t.co/GS18VO42Db.#LivingHope pic.twitter.com/qJB769pCAj

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) March 5, 2025

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take upon thee the form of a servant, humbling thyself and accepting death for us, even the death of the cross: Grant that this mind may be also in us; so that we may gladly take upon ourselves the life of humility and service, and taking up our cross daily may follow thee in thy suffering and death, that with thee we may attain unto the power of thy endless life.  Grant this, O Christ, our Saviour and our King.

A fabulous #AshWednesday – 40 adults and 9 children ashed as we begin this season of Lent ✝️ pic.twitter.com/CQNuHyGA7t

— Fr George Reeves (@FrGeorgeReeves) March 5, 2025

But in order to arrive at its full meaning, we must suppose that David felt an inward struggle and opposition, which he found it necessary to check. Satan had raised a tumult in his affections, and wrought a degree of impatience in his mind, which he now curbs; and he expresses his resolution to be silent. The word implies a meek and submissive endurance of the cross. It expresses the opposite of that heat of spirit which would put us into a posture of resistance to God. The silence intended is, in short, that composed submission of the believer, in the exercise of which he acquiesces in the promises of God, gives place to his word, bows to his sovereignty, and suppresses every inward murmur of dissatisfaction.

–From his commentary on the Psalms

Lent begins today with Ash Wednesday. #AshWednesday #Lent2025 #anglican #anglicanchurch #anglicancommunion #acna pic.twitter.com/CBvHmmQ47q

— New Wineskins (@newwineskins) March 5, 2025

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.

Today, many will attend church services and have a cross of ash traced on their foreheads. This acts as a reminder of our mortality and need for reconciliation with God.

Find an Ash Wednesday service at https://t.co/R8wMSEkNUx. pic.twitter.com/m5DBIVcChz

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) March 5, 2025

O God, who by thy care and counsel for mankind hast moved thy Church to appoint this holy season wherein the hearts of those who seek thee may receive thy help and healing: We beseech thee so to purify us by thy discipline, that, abiding in thee and thou in us, we may grow in grace and in the faith and knowledge of thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heerlijk zonnig voorjaarsweer. Fijne woensdag😀 #zonsondergang #rivier pic.twitter.com/VL4Otb5oYd

— Tjark Dieterman (@DietermanTjark) March 5, 2025

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:7-14

Whenever you feel hopeless about the hate and ruin and sadness in the world, remember that the sun still rises every day, still draws long shadows on the fields, the birds still sing their little hearts out in the gold, and the spring flowers still push up through the hard earth… pic.twitter.com/dZe1yZsTYN

— peaklass (@peaklass1) March 5, 2025

Almighty and most merciful God, who hast given thy Son to die for our sins and to obtain eternal redemption for us through his own blood: Let the merit of his spotless sacrifice, we beseech thee, purge our consciences from dead works to serve thee, the living God, that we may receive the promise of eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end.

Grand Rising
Good Saturday lovely people in my phone.#SaturdayVibes #weekendvibes #sunrise #grandrising #GoodVibesOnly #spring #StormHour #jefinuist #outerhebrides #Scotland pic.twitter.com/lumfCaQMKB

— DaliMach (@frenchscotjeff) March 23, 2024

Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which thou hast given us, for all the pains and insults which thou hast borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, now and for evermore.

Good Friday lovely people in my phone.
An another wild day ahead..#FridayMotivation #storm #sunrise #grandrising #GoodVibesOnly #spring #StormHour #jefinuist #GoodVibesOnly #outerhebrides #Scotland pic.twitter.com/gyyFUGLS5R

— DaliMach (@frenchscotjeff) March 22, 2024

O God, who by the cross and passion of thy Son Jesus Christ didst save and deliver mankind: Grant that by steadfast faith in the merits of that holy sacrifice we may find help and salvation, and may triumph in the power of his victory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Klaas’s Cuckoo looking for its next meal…

📍@nyandungupark in #Kigali #Rwanda #RwOX #Birds pic.twitter.com/wdB5FsihoP

— Will Wilson (@2wsphotography) March 21, 2024

O God, who by the example of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ hast taught us the greatness of true humility, and dost call us to watch with him in his passion: Give us grace to serve one another in all lowliness, and to enter into the fellowship of his sufferings; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

Das Hier und Jetzt ist alles, was wir haben. Wir sollten jeden Tag versuchen, etwas Gutes daraus zu machen.
🌺🌱🌞Guten Morgen 🌞🌱 🌺 pic.twitter.com/PMNakfMcAO

— Brigitta Neurauter (@BrigittaNeurau2) March 20, 2024

O God, whose blessed Son did overcome death for our salvation: Mercifully grant that we, who have his glorious passion in remembrance, may take up our cross daily and follow him; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Another forgotten Fell overlooking Ullswater, Hind Crag. I only saw 2 other people. But as for those views sweeping down the lake towards Glenridding, I won't forget. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/mIfx27ZTpj

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) March 19, 2024

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Martindale Common, a part of the Lakes I don't venture into very often, might have to rethink that. Looking down the valley as early morning light catches Beda Fell. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/JUKW4kJFKO

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) March 18, 2024

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

"Grazing Sheep at Sunrise"#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #StormHour #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/EXQDmHZ8pn

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) March 17, 2024

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst feed the multitude by the lakeside, using the humble gifts of a boy’s generous impulse, and a disciple’s faith in thy power: Help us in thy Church to call forth such generosity in others, and strengthen our faith that the hungry millions can be fed; for thy name’s sake.

"West Fork Reflections"#WestForkRiver #AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/hiQrDbLHtg

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) March 16, 2024

O Lord and heavenly Father, who hast given unto us thy people the true bread that cometh down from heaven, even thy Son Jesus Christ: Grant that our souls may so be fed by him who giveth life unto the world, that we may abide in him and he in us, and thy Church be filled with the power of his unending life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lilac dawn. Taken about 30 minutes before sunrise. #glastonburytor pic.twitter.com/VhxHr2VJX5

— Michelle Cowbourne (@Glastomichelle) March 15, 2024

O Lord and heavenly Father, who hast given unto us thy people the true bread that cometh down from heaven, even thy Son Jesus Christ: Grant that our souls may so be fed by him who giveth life unto the world, that we may abide in him and he in us, and thy Church be filled with the power of his unending life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bonjour soleil, Savièse ☀️💖☀️🇨🇭#valais #suisse #switzerland #schweiz #landscape #photography #paysage #sunrise #lake @MySwitzerland_e @valaiswallis pic.twitter.com/7rL6wO3kP5

— Délèze Dominique (@DelezeD) March 14, 2024

Grant us, O Lord, to rejoice in beholding the bliss of the heavenly Jerusalem; that as she is the home and mother of the multitude of the saints, we also may be counted worthy to have our portion within her; through thine only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Happy #WaterfallWednesday! 💙

Who's walked through the Valley of Desolation to #Posgorth Gill Waterfall before?

Named after a great storm over Barden Fell in 1836. Now a well-loved walk from @boltonabbeyestate in #Wharfedale, #YorkshireDales.

📷 https://t.co/ZCuM6OXGVG pic.twitter.com/2mbIBDkZWv

— Yorkshire Dales National Park (@yorkshire_dales) March 13, 2024

Almighty God, who has taught us in thy holy Word that the law was given by Moses, but that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ: Grant that we, being not under the law but under grace, may live as children of that Jerusalem which is above, and rejoice in the freedom of our heavenly citizenship; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

–The Rev. James Mountain (1844-1933)

Grand Rising.
Good Tuesday lovely people in my phone.#TuesdayFeeling #sunrise #spring #StormHour #jefinuist #GoodVibesOnly #outerhebrides #Scotland pic.twitter.com/ULrwYyAefr

— DaliMach (@frenchscotjeff) March 12, 2024

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Bore da bawb…fel hyn ma’ dachre wythnos newi…enjoiwch eich diwrnod x

Good morning everyone…this is the way to start a new week…enjoy your day x pic.twitter.com/3d00oot3uj

— Aled Hall 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@AledHall) March 11, 2024

God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence
to bind together and to heal;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

A freshly-mown Radcliffe Square ready for spring 🌸 pic.twitter.com/Ga0bo2qu2L

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) March 10, 2024

Lord Christ, almighty Saviour, we cry to thee for aid against our strong enemy. O thou who art the Stronger than the strong, deliver us, we pray thee, from the evil one, and take sole possession of our hearts and minds; that filled with thy Spirit we may henceforth devote our lives to thy service, and therein find our perfect freedom; for the honour of thy great name.

It was really hazy at sunrise this morning and the colour in the sky lasted for a lot longer than normal even way after the sun had risen. This was about 30 minutes after sunrise in Glastonbury. pic.twitter.com/ekex4MQI8H

— Michelle Cowbourne (@Glastomichelle) March 8, 2024

O Thou who hast prepared a place for my soul, prepare my soul for that place. Prepare it with holiness; prepare it with desire; and even while it sojourneth upon earth, let it dwell in heaven with thee, beholding the beauty of thy countenance and the glory of thy saints, now and for evermore.

Sioni rhew nôl i weld ni yn Dolgrân a dôd gyda fe bore hudolus arall…Bore da 💙❄️

Jack frost back to see us in Dolgrân and has brought with him a magical morning again…Bore da💙❄️@StormHour @ThePhotoHour #WestWalesSunrise🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💙❄️ pic.twitter.com/5sr0wYKiMw

— Aled Hall 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@AledHall) March 6, 2024

O almighty Father, giver of every good and perfect gift, who hast made the light of thy truth to shine in our hearts: Make us to walk as children of light in all goodness and righteousness, that we may have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God, who through thy Son has taught us that a house divided against itself must fall: Save us, we beseech thee, from the danger of a divided allegiance; unite our hearts to fear thy name; and grant that in all our course of life our eye may be single and our purpose one; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Monday morning beach walk, South Sands, Salcombe pic.twitter.com/sQk3qti6fc

— Stephen Ball (@ostizeuropean) March 4, 2024

Heavenly Father, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Look with compassion upon the heartfelt desires of your servants, and purify our disordered affections, that we may behold your eternal glory in the face of Christ Jesus; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Good morning 🌍🫶💙❤️🥰☀️🌺 Have a happy and relaxed Sunday all and smell the spring in the air 🫶💙 #goodmorning #photooftheday #spring #Sunday @StormHour @ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/RtAX02dGa9

— Dr.P_78Glasgow (@AbhaPaulina) March 3, 2024

O Blessed Saviour, who art full of mercy and compassion, and wilt not cast out any that come to thee: Help us, we beseech thee, who are grievously vexed with the burden of our sins; and so increase in us the power of thy Holy Spirit that we may prevail against the enemy of our souls; for thy name’s sake.

Good morning North Yorkshire

📍 Roseberry Topping

📸 IG/huggywonderlust pic.twitter.com/WX85s82FzE

— Love North Yorkshire (@LoveNorthYorks1) March 2, 2024