A Prayer For Lent 2024
Wednesday 14 February will be celebrated by many people with tokens of love, flowers and Valentine cards.
It is also the day when Christians commence their 40 days of penance and fasting, as it is also this year the beginning of Lent. Awkward problem to be encountered if you are about to give up chocolates! The symbol of ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of Christians on this day is a reminder that this earthly existence is but a preparation for the next life. Quoting from Genesis 3: 19 ‘For dust you are and on to dust you shall return’ is most definitely countercultural to the celebrations of Valentine’s Day. Is it a case of feasting or fasting? Or maybe, for the day that is in it, you can do a bit of both. Feasting the night before [Shrove Tuesday] and fasting thereafter!
Our Lenten prayer from an unknown author challenges us to feast on all that makes us human and wholesome and to fast from our shortcomings.
The Fast Life:
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
Amen
Fr Alan Whelan MSC and Mrs Mary Benham
