A Game-Changing Lent
It’s almost Ash Wednesday. Because of this, I’m making a brief interruption to my regular stories. If you’ve been reading my posts, you know that the most important thing you can do in your life is to develop a strong and loving relationship with Jesus. He is the only way to true joy and eternal life. But what if you’re just not feeling it? Maybe you’ve tried to get close to Him in the past but never got anywhere with it. Instead of giving something up this Lent (or maybe in addition to giving something up), why not try to develop that bond? It’s going to take daily effort but if you commit to this, I am absolutely confident that you will find Him. After all, Jesus said it Himself, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Mt 7:7) No one who wants to know and love Jesus will be excluded. But it often takes persistence.
An idea for developing your relationship with Jesus:
Days 1-40: read a chapter of the Gospel and spend 10-15 minutes in silent prayer each day. If you can, do this in a church.
Tips:
First, ask Jesus to help draw you closer to Him.
On day 1, examine your conscience and talk to Jesus about the ways you’ve fallen short, hurt others, hurt God, or hurt yourself. If you’re Catholic, try to get to Confession that first week. Repentance is the sure way to open your heart and soul to Jesus. (You will be amazed at what happens in prayer after a good Confession.)
Before you read the Gospel each day, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to the Word.
Before you spend time in silent prayer each day, ask the Holy Spirit to help you learn to pray better.
Set aside a certain time each day for this and try to stick to that time.
If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just get back to it the next day.
If you get distracted during prayer or fall asleep, don’t worry about it. It’s not about how you feel while you are praying but rather about sticking with it for 40 days and attempting to do your best each time.
If you decide to try this, it’s going to be a game-changer in your life.
Happy Lent!!