Breathe Again

Confession, Thanksgiving, and Praise 

after Psalm 51:1–17 

for Ash Wednesday 

I stop.

Drop to my knees. 

I can see,

I will look,

all the ways I have not

walked Your Way. 

By my shame

I am brought

to my knees; 

in my sorrow

I fold my head low,

for I know

You know

there is nothing left

but to confess. 

I confess. 

Hear me fairly, 

look through Your eyes

of lovingkindness

that see 

and then choose not

to see

so I may breathe 

again. 

I stop. 

Drop to my knees. 

I can hear,

I will listen, 

in the chamber of my 

secret heart – 

oh, meet me there,

Merciful One, 

and whisper joy,

promise grace

as you have of old,

and I will lift my eyes,

throw wide my arms

and let you in

where You – to my surprise

and my delight – have told me

You will dwell! 

I thank you: 

this freedom,

this life,

this begin anew. 

I thank you

as I breathe

again. 

I stop. 

Drop to my knees. 

I can speak,

I will sing,

Your story 

and your glory

shining, shimmering,

sparkling glass of bubbling gold 

that overflows! 

Come near,

people dear: 

come sing the Song of Life,

the Song of Joy! 

We praise You,

Source of Life;

we praise You,

Way of Life;

we praise You,

Breath of Life,

and we breathe

again.