The Lenten Prayer

I was at a phone conference two weeks ago at Mercy Medical Center; before the conference one of the organizers gave a powerful reflection that I thought was a wonderful way to start the Lenten season. After the conference some of us expressed that we would like to have a copy of the reflection. My director Ms. Kathy reported that she had a copy and that she would be glad to email it to us. Well then I am more than willing to share this prayer with you. This is what I would like to call ‘The Lenten Prayer’. I only hope that we take a long loving look at this prayer and pray that we may have the courage to put it into practice.  

Lent: A Call to Fast and Feast:

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Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.


Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the oneness of all.


Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of JESUS within us.

Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of GOD.

Fast from actions that pollute, feast on deeds that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from pessimism; feast on hope.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.


Fast from guilt; feast on freedom.


Fast from complaining; feast on complementing.


Fast from stress; feast on self-care.


Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.


Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others.


Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm.


Fast from idle gossiping; feast on spreading the Good News.


Fast from being so busy; feast on peaceful silence.


Fast from being in control; feast on letting go.”

If am to dissect this prayer and take it apart line by line, I dare say, it would make a book. Fasting from negativity, pessimism, apathy, bitterness and gossiping would pave a bright future for many of us who like to pursue a life of holiness. We cannot live a life of holiness with bitterness in our hearts. We have to consciously follow the teaching of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel chapters 5, 6, 7 and 18 if we have any hope of going to heaven.

Life’s lesson has taught us that vices, anger and hording our hurts only succeed in doing one thing, rob us of our peace, serenity and happiness. We have long ago learnt, though we have not always put it into practice; that we cannot keep someone down without being down with that person. Hence we have to free ourselves of poisonous thoughts, behaviors and habits and begin to see the bright side of life. We have a choice to make. Do you choose to be sad and negative or won’t you rather choose to be happy in life? The choice is yours. You have nothing to lose if you choose to be happy. The most important thing is that we always have a choice. Look at the prayer above once again, spend sometime with the Lord in prayer, in the silence of your heart and allow God to speak to you. Do not be afraid of silence for it has so much to teach you about yourself. Sad to note though, many would rather spend eternity in the cacophony of noise in our everyday life than to spend just an hour with the Lord in silence prayer. The Lord would teach us the true meaning of Lent and fasting. So why not try it out, after all what have you to lose?