Friday Funny | March 7, 2014
Lent
Sons
Some days we’re the prodigal son. Other days we’re the older brother.
The Father loves both.
Lent
Lenten Prayer for Spiritual Renewal
God, heavenly Father,
look upon me and hear my prayer
during this holy Season of Lent.
By the good works You inspire,
help me to discipline my body
and to be renewed in spirit.
Without You I can do nothing.
By Your Spirit help me to know what is right
and to be eager in doing Your will.
Teach me to find new life through penance.
Keep me from sin, and help me live
by Your commandment of love.
God of love, bring me back to You.
Send Your Spirit to make me strong
in faith and active in good works.
May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness,
open my heart to Your love,
and prepare me for the coming feast
of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Lord, during this Lenten Season,
nourish me with Your Word of life
and make me one
with You in love and prayer.
Fill my heart with Your love
and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ.
Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness.
Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.
Father, our source of life,
I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand;
let me walk more readily in Your ways.
Guide me in Your gentle mercy,
for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.
Father of love, source of all blessings,
help me to pass from my old life of sin
to the new life of grace.
Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom.
I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
Amen. {Source}
Resources for Lent:
- What to give up for Lent–twenty-five creative ideas, and twenty more weird ones.
- Lent for Everyone Bible reading plan (via YouVersion, which is also available on mobile phones).
- Lenten prayers.
- Knitting/crocheting for charity: Knit-a-Square/The Ruth Mailbag Group. It will be winter here soon, and both these organizations could use some help. Great way to use up scrap yarn!
- Do the photo challenge. #rethinkchurch
Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the forty days leading up to Easter, known as Lent. Traditionally Lent is a time of prayer, penance, denial and preparation. Fasting, whether from certain kinds of food or certain activities, is common, though not universal; a practice based on Jesus’ time of testing in the desert.
Lately I’ve been struggling with spiritual apathy, so I’m going to use this time to recommit to Jesus and to renew my faith and passion for Him. It’s encouraging to know that as of today, people worldwide are doing the same: refocusing on Christ in gratitude for what He did for us on the Cross.
I hope that this Lenten season will bring you closer to God :).
Love,
Liana xx
St Basil’s epic pwnage, or “Lenten thoughts”
Are you not a robber, who consider your own that which has been given you solely to distribute to others? This bread which you have set aside is the bread of the hungry; this garment you have locked away is the clothing of the naked; those shoes which you let rot are the shoes of him who is barefoot; those riches you have hoarded are the riches of the poor.
–St Basil the Great
Inspirational Quotes
When you can’t see God’s purpose, focus on his presence. — Rick Warren
God is longing to be good to you. Be bold enough to ask for His goodness. Pray for extraordinary things today. — @Chiefkariuki
If you believe the promise – believe that you are forgiven and cleansed – God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it.
Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.” — EG White, Steps to Christ
your mess, His Message 