Holy God, how often we come to you asking for your protection, your support, your encouragement, and your strength for the day. And again today we pray for these things.
We pray that you will help us be on our guard against everything that is not of you. Forswearing hatred, and unrighteousness and remaining alert when facing decisions that erode our character and undermine our best intentions. We pray that you will help us stand firm in our faith, trusting in your intimate involvement in our lives and in your ultimate redemption of the many events that seem to test our souls. We pray for courage when faced with situations that challenge us to demonstrate perseverance and integrity. We pray for strength, not dominance and not victory, but the strength of conviction, a strength found only in your righteousness and made effective through your wisdom.
But perhaps the thing we are least inclined to pray for, and the thing we most need, is that you enable us to do all these things in love. For love requires us to set aside all bitterness, anger, hurt, and self–righteousness, and to open our hearts to those with whom you have called us to serve.
Lord, grant us all these things in accordance with your will. But above all, help us to love as you have loved us in sure and certain hope that you will hear and answer all our prayers.
We offer them in your merciful name. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:13–14
Over time you begin to see hints and glimmers of a larger world outside the prison of your sadness. The conscious mind takes hold of some shred of beauty or love. And then more shreds, until you begin to think maybe, just maybe, there is something better on the far side of despair.
—Michael Gerson
The Interfaith Staff Prayer Room is open for congressional staff to use for personal prayer and meditation. For questions – email StaffPrayerRoom@mail.house.gov
Join us to pray the Rosary for Congress and the nation – each Friday at 11:30 am in the Interfaith Staff Prayer Room – 467 Cannon – or via Zoom. All are welcome. Rosaries and prayer sheets are provided. For zoom link or more information, contact Karen.Bronson@mail.house.gov Hosted by the Office of the Chaplain
Services at local churches for Ash Wednesday:
(For Catholics – Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation but a meaningful way to begin the season of Lent. It is a day of fasting for those age 18–59 – one full meal is allowed plus 2 smaller ones that don't equal a full meal – and abstinence from meat for those 14 and older.)
St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill
313 2nd St SE
Mass: 7:30 a.m.; 12:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill
313 2nd St NE
Mass: 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.
St. Dominic’s
630 E St SW
Mass: 8:00 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
St. Vincent De Paul
14 M St SE
Mass: 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.
The Church of the Resurrection (Anglican)
501 E St SE
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:00 a.m.; 10:00 a.m. (children); 6:30 p.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill
301 A St SE
Ash Wednesday Service: 12:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
Christ Church + Washington Parish
620 G St SE
“Ashes to Go”: (9:00 a.m. near Eastern Market Metro)
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:30 a.m.; 4:30 p.m. (children’s service); 7:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
212 East Capitol St NE
“Ashes to Go”: 7:30 a.m. � 9:00 a.m.
Ash Wednesday Service: 6:30 p.m.
Capitol Hill Presbyterian
201 4th St SE
Ashes to Go: Eastern Market – 7:30 a.m. � 8:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. � 1:00 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Service: 7:00 p.m.
Capitol Hill United Methodist Church
401 Seward Square SE
Ashes to go & blessing; 8:00 a.m. � 10:00 a.m. on church steps
Ash Wednesday service � 7:00 p.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church 400 D St. SE
The Office of the Chaplain will offer ecumenical services for the distribution of ashes on Wednesday, February 18 in the Pelosi Cannon Caucus Room. All are welcome. Please join us at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. for this service which will include the reading of scripture, words of reflection, prayer and the distribution of ashes. Please note: This is not a Mass. Local priests will be assisting. For information, ChaplainOffice@mail.house.gov