One Lent Fr. Jerry Byrd decided to go big. He slept on the floor and gave up coffee, and meat. It all lasted about 14 hours.
“We have to be reasonable in our penances and prayer,” said Fr. Byrd.
He learned this in seminary when he was growing in his love of God and wanted to do more for God. But it has to be balanced. “Not enough and way too much,” don’t work he said.
Instead, he’s learned five foolproof ways to set Lenten Resolutions so they might last longer than 14 hours, even possibly the 40 days of Lent.
What is Lent
Lent has three pillars, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time for reflection and spiritual growth. A period meant for deepening our relationship with God. However, it can also be a challenging time as it often requires us to make significant changes in our daily routines and habits. Here are five foolproof ways to live Lent, making your spiritual journey more meaningful and rewarding.
Make a Reasonable Resolution
Setting unrealistic goals can often lead to disappointment and frustration. If you are not a morning person, for example, deciding to get up at 3 a.m. to pray five rosaries might be setting you up for failure. Instead, consider setting a more achievable goal, such as waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual.
You can also change it up a bit. If you already pray three rosaries a day, adding a different prayer practice might be more beneficial. A reasonable prayer life means praying in the morning and at night for a firm foundation. The key is to develop resolutions that are conducive to your spiritual growth and that can realistically fit into your daily routine.
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Hold You Accountable
Spiritual journeys are often more rewarding when shared with others. During Lent, consider asking a good friend or family member to journey with you.
Having someone to share your experiences, struggles, and victories is what it means to be Christian and live the exhortation to “encourage one another and build one another up,” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Accountability can be a powerful motivator and having someone to share your journey can make the process less daunting and more enjoyable.
Be Receptive to God
Prayer is not just about expressing our desires, needs, and thanks to God – it is also about listening to what He has to say. We need space for silence in our prayer life. It is in these moments of quiet that we can hear God’s voice and understand His will for us.
Make it a point to include moments of silence in your prayer routine. Pour your heart out to God, but remember to give Him space to speak back to you.
Know Where to Put Your Focus
The object of all our devotions, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving is God. During Lent, it’s important to keep this focus. A holy image where you pray can be helpful in this regard. It serves as a constant reminder that the object of our prayer and devotion is God.
Many people create a prayer corner or family altar in their homes. They place a blessed candle on it, along with a holy image of Jesus, Mary, or the saints. This visual reminder helps us focus our prayer life.
Do Not Give Up
There will be times when prayer might feel boring, dry, distracted, or rushed. But that doesn’t mean you should quit. Remember, perfection is the enemy of good. Instead of striving for perfection, aim for consistency and sincerity in your prayers.
When you feel like giving up, pray to the Holy Spirit to help you keep going.
“Lent is absolutely worth it because it helps us draw closer to the Heart of God,” said Fr. Byrd. Through His grace, we are changed and transformed.”
That’s because prayer is necessary for salvation, said St. Alphonsus Liguori.
If we call ourselves Christians we follow the example Christ set through prayer and fasting. Lent is the perfect time to follow this example.
Other Lenten Resources
In case you missed it we are doing a novena to the Holy Face of Jesus. This is a traditional Lenten novena that ends the day before Ash Wednesday.
Also, here’s an easy print-out of Fr Byrd’s 5 Fool Proof Ways to Live Lent here!
