Let us pray: Lord, teach us to pray. Let our prayers honor you alone.  Help us to surrender our self-centered desires to your will for us and others. Open our eyes to your mercy and justice, and let us be your hands in service to others. Amen.

7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come.
    Your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13  And do not bring us to the time of trial,
        but rescue us from the evil one.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses,
        your heavenly Father will also forgive you;

15 but if you do not forgive others,
        neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I know, from personal experience, that kids sometimes think ashes on the forehead are a cool thing. All day, their friends will be asking them why they have black on their foreheads.  Teenagers are more likely to be embarrassed, and maybe to wipe the ashes off as soon as possible.  And I also know that adults, even if they don’t want to admit it, also have both of these reactions. Raise your had if you have had one of those reactions.