Lenten prayer:

And the Lord said: I will give you a new heart, and place a new spirit within
you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts, and giving you hearts of
love. I will put my spirit within you, and make you live by my ways, careful
to observe my decrees. (Ezekiel 36: 26-27)

Lent—a season of Fasting and feasting.

This holy season, let us think about our call to:

• Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them
• Fast from emphasis on our differences; feast on our oneness
• Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of Christ
• Fast on thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God
• Fast on words that pollute; feast on words that purify
• Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude
• Fast from withholding anger; feast on sharing our feelings
• Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
• Fast from worry; feast on trust
• Fast from guilt; feast on freedom
• Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
• Fast from stress; feast on self-care
• Fast from hostility; feast on letting go
• Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
• Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others
• Fast from discouragement; feast on seeing the good
• Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm
• Fast from suspicion; feast on seeing the good
• Fast from idle gossip; feast on spreading good news
• Fast from being so busy; feast on quiet silence
• Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayerful trust
• Fast from talking; feast on listening
• Fast from trying to be in control; feast on letting go.

Loving God, let us Fast from anything that leads us away from you and teach us to feast on all that brings us closer to you. Amen.

The season of Lent

The Season of Lent -- from Catholic Charities USA (pdf file)

Other resources for Lent (external links)

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2009

The Catholic Health Association of the United States Lenten Podcast Reflections

The Catholic Health Association of the United States Prayers for Lent

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources for the Lenten Season

Sacred Space – Daily Prayer Online with the Irish Jesuits

Lenten Radio Retreat sponsored by Franciscan Radio and the USCCB

Creighton University’s Online Ministries – Resources for Lent 2009 including Audio Retreats

Angels of the Passion – Meditations on Jesus’ Last Hours

Lift up your Hearts: Lent, Holy Week and Easter Resources - an ecumenical website