I love the Lenten season, to me it has always been a way to grow even closer to God. I know we can grow closer to God anytime of the year. But the meaning behind Lent...Jesus going into the desert for 40 days fasting with prayer to be with His Father...He showed us the way to be with Him. Be "alone" with Him.Lent is a time for your inner jorney to take a leap...a leap of faith and to trust in God more then ever before.
Take the steps that Jesus did. Take time to be alone with God...pray...fast. There is also a commentary I found that relates to prayer and fasting....I pray it will help you understand the prayer and fasting it is truly a lantern to show you the way.
Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church….Sermon on prayer, fasting and almsgiving; PL 52, 320
“Then they will fast”
There are three actions, my brethren, on which faith stands firm, in which piety consists and by which virtue is upheld: prayer, fasting, mercy. Prayer knocks at the door; fasting obtains; mercy receives. Prayer, mercy, fasting: these three make up one thing and, all together, give life to each other. Thus, fasting is the soul of prayer and mercy is the life of fasting. Let no one set them apart; the three together cannot be separated. Anyone who puts only one or two of them into practice has done nothing at all. Therefore, the one who prays must fast, and the one who fasts must have mercy. Let him hear the man who asks and who, in asking, wishes to be heard. Whoever does not refuse to listen to others when they plead to him will be listened to by God. Whoever practices fasting must understand what fasting is, that is to say, he must sympathize with the hungry man if he wants God to sympathize with his own hunger. Whoever hopes to obtain mercy must show mercy; whoever wants to benefit from kindness must practice it; whoever would like someone to give him something must be someone who gives… So be yourself the measure of the mercy to be shown to you: if you would like others to show you mercy in such-and-such a way, according to such a measure and with just such a readiness, then show mercy yourself to others with the same sort of readiness, according to the same measure, and in the same way And so prayer, mercy, fasting must make up one, single sponsor to recommend us to God, one defense, one prayer in our favor under this threefold form.
You are welcomed to share your journey with me and others...God bless you!
Your Sister In Christ
Prayerflowers
11 comments:
My Lenten prayer for today.
Jesus Prayed
"Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me; but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." - John 11:41b-42
Heavenly Father, I wish I had the confidence that Jesus had. "I know that you always hear me." For my part, I'm not always so sure. There are situations that seem to overwhelm me, problems beyond my handling. And when I pray...how do I know you are listening? How do I know you can do anything for me?
When Jesus was done saying this prayer, he called "Lazarus, come out!" And his friend, who had been dead and buried for four days already, did! He stepped out of the grave alive!
Heavenly Father, you had answered Jesus' prayer...so that we may trust in him, he said. Give me such faith, O God! Let this powerful sign assure me that you do listen, that you do care, and that you do respond, in ways beyond my comprehending.
"Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me; but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." - John 11:41b-42
Heavenly Father, I wish I had the confidence that Jesus had. "I know that you always hear me." For my part, I'm not always so sure. There are situations that seem to overwhelm me, problems beyond my handling. And when I pray...how do I know you are listening? How do I know you can do anything for me?
When Jesus was done saying this prayer, he called "Lazarus, come out!" And his friend, who had been dead and buried for four days already, did! He stepped out of the grave alive!
Heavenly Father, you had answered Jesus' prayer...so that we may trust in him, he said. Give me such faith, O God! Let this powerful sign assure me that you do listen, that you do care, and that you do respond, in ways beyond my comprehending.
Dear Bernadette,
Thank you for posting the beautiful prayer and reflection.
Most of all for sharing this Lenten Journey with me. God bless you!
Prayerflowers
The Disciples Prayed...
when they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. - Acts 1:13-14a
Did you apostles become impatient, Lord - the way I do sometimes when there is nothing to do but wait? As you left them to return to heaven, you promised that great things were in the offing, and that they should wait. It isn't always easy just to wait.
But while they were waiting, your Word tells us, they spent their time praying. I'm not sure I always think of that when I am impatient, anxious to get to the outcome.
They prayed. Their names are listed, as if to say that not only did all of them pray, but each of them prayed. It wasn't someone else's job. and it still isn't. Since you have called me by my name, ear Lord, keep helping me - yes, me - to pray.
What a blessing to share our Lenten walks with each other. I'm going to try to grow closer to the Holy Spirit with readings and prayers this Lent.
Did you get a new avatar of St. Rita? Wonderful, her feast day is May 22.
Prayers and Blessings dear friend.
Dear Micki
I just found my comments that needed to be reviewed. I had a comment posted a while back that was nasty and I today I just found that I had 7 commented to review.
Please forgive me for missing such a beautiful post.
Love you bunches,
Prayerflowers
What a beautiful post. I hope all is well with you. What a joy and privilege to have such friends with which to share a Lenten journey.
Hugs, Kay
Hi Sweet Kay,
So good to see your here. Thank you for your kind comment. I love sharing lent with my Jesus friends. God bless you,
Prayerflowers
I just wanted to say thank you for your site and blog. I have been a protestant for 12+ years and now have been lead to come home to the Church. This is all so very new to me and your site has helped so much. I know as I continue to dig into it, it will continue to do so. Thank you for your time, effort and love. You are a great blessing!
Dearest Dianna M,
Thank you for your sweet and kind comment you posted...it blesses me to know that it has helped you in some way. You have truly been on a long journey. How exciting your journey leads you back home to your Church. May the grace of our Loving and Merciful Lord continue to enlighten your path and your heart. I will pray for your journey and keep you in my closest prayers. God bless you
Love,
Prayerflowers
Thank you so much for the prayers. They are greatly appreciated. I am overwhelmed by this journey but I am being guided each step of the way. This is exciting and awe inspiring.
Hi Dianna, I am sure it is...take it each day as it comes...enjoy the love and compassion that is surrounding you today...God is always going before you so you don't have to worry about tomorrow's learning today.
God bless you
So exciting about the new pope :)
Love in Jesus
Prayerflowers
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