Today marks the begining of the 2009 Season of Lent. This is a time when we try to pry ourselves away from ourselves and make ourselves closer to God. It is hard to make changes in our lives. During Lent I find it no less difficult but I have more energy to do so. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving we can bring ourselves closer to the person Jesus calls us to be.

Prayer is super important in our daily lives. It is especially important if we are working on changing our lives to grow spiritually. Through prayer we call for the intercession of the Holy Spirit. By praying we draw closer to God through our conversation with him. We also get grace and strength to get through everyday. There are many prayers that we can say to help us. This Lent my wife and I are going to say the Rosary everyday. We are hoping that by doing this we will continue to say the Rosary on a daily basis after Lent. We are not saying the Rosary simply to boost our prayer life but we are going to pray it to ask Mary to pray for us for strength to stay away from our temptations and to help us during the Lenten season.

Fasting is required of us on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. We are also called to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Of course as tradition says we also try to give something up during Lent. The most common are sweets. I have in the past given up sweets, pop and being lazy. I may not have made it through the whole season on most occasions but I am determined that this time I will (of course every year I say this). No more fast food for me this Lent season! So, why do we do this? I am giving up fast food because it is something that has become a crutch for me. It has been convenient. I have a McDonalds near where I work and getting a couple burgers or chicken sandwiches off the dollar menu is much easier than taking the time to pack a healthy meal. Also, fast food for me is so very tasty and as we know it is not healthy. I decided to take this out of my diet this Lent because it will be a sacrafice for me. I will crave it. In fact I am craving it right now. By sacraficing something that we love, somthing that we will miss and will be difficult to go without we are able to more rely on God.

Lastly we are called to almsgiving. Our first thoughts tend to go toward money when we hear this. This is not always the case. Of course it is great to give money to your local church and charities but this is not the only way. My wife and I almost on a monthy basis go through our closets and find clothes and objects that we no longer wear or use and give them to a charity. Now based on the fact that we can do this almost monthly lets me know that we have too many things in our possesion. Hopefully by continually giving we can live a more simple life plus we are helping those that are less fortunate than us.

Lent is a great season to grow spiritually. Take time to read scripture and pray this Lent. The prayer will give you the strength to do what God is calling you to do. My prayer for all is that we can let God work through us this Lent to help us grow closer to him, to help us help our brothers and sisters in need and to help us to live godly lives on a daily basis.