Any Church prayers to help with fasting?

[panther]

I am fasting on Fridays during Lent (drinking liquids only). I have fasted before, and I know how difficult it gets for me. I want to offer it up and better use my hunger and discomfort for Christ. I was wondering if any of you know any prayers the Church has specifically for fasting.

Thanks for your help!

 

[kubuck]

I’m making it a point to fast twice a week during lent this year (normally I try to fast once a week). I can tell you, it gets much easier the more you do it - and the more frequently you do it. How easy it is also has to do with your diet before fasting and how you manage your blood sugar (or not) when you aren’t fasting. But that’s a whole other conversation and not what you asked about.

For me, I find that I turn to scripture or the rosary when I would normally be taking a break to eat a meal. I also just say a quick prayer along the lines of “Jesus, I offer up my discomfort and the pains of my hunger as a sacrifice to you in thanksgiving for your suffering for me.” It helps me to remember that Christ fasted for 40 days and the growl in my tummy is nothing compared to the scourging at the pillar.

God bless and best of luck in your endeavor!

 

[puzzleannie]

for Friday fasting you could not do better than the traditional mediation on the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary or the Stations of the Cross. the verses of the Stabat Mater, the traditional song between stations, would also be excellent to include.

 

[MoreThan1Hat]

I recently had a conversation with a priest friend about this very topic and he asked me what I pray when I am having trouble keeping my Lenten fast discipline…I told him that I pray a lot of Jesus Prayers (“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) and he said that this is an excellent one; then he said that he prays the following prayer at difficult moments as well: “O my Jesus, give me the grace to desire You as greatly as I desire [insert whatever you are craving at the moment]” For example “O my Jesus, give me the grace to desire You as greatly as I desire a hamburger.” Not trying to be flippant there. Hope this helps. I’ll pray for you too.

:byzsoc:

 

[panther]

Thank you all!

Yesterday really wasn’t too bad, and kubuck’s prayer was very helpful. I appreciate all your responses.

But as far as anyone knows, there’s no official “fasting prayer” in the Church, is there? Just curious.

Thanks again.