Giving up something 'invisible' for Lent

[whatevergirl]

Yes, I’m fasting…and as a family, we are giving up eating out for Lent. (that will be a toughie ha)

But, how about the things that are not visible? I feel I truly need to grow in patience, and to stop worry in my life. I have gotten a lot better, but…I still feel like I have a long way to go. So…I’m looking for Lent to help me grow in these two areas…to abandon worry, and surrender to God in all things, and to become more patient of a person. How might I go about something like this? Through prayer…are there ‘exercises’ I can do to help in these areas?

Are you trying to sacrifice something ‘invisible’ for Lent, too?

Look forward to your replies.

 

[idrum677]

By giving up such things as eating out, you are at the same time helping yourself to be more patient by not giving into the things you want.

 

[dcrowmik]

How might I go about something like this? Through prayer…are there ‘exercises’ I can do to help in these areas?

How about saying the Rosary everyday, s-l-o-w-l-y, and deeply meditating on each mystery – setting aside time in your day solely for that, doing nothing else.

Already say the Rosary everyday slowly and deeply? Try expanding the time you spend by saying ALL the mysteries of the Rosary everyday.

 

[Serap]

Yes, I’m fasting…and as a family, we are giving up eating out for Lent. (that will be a toughie ha)

But, how about the things that are not visible? I feel I truly need to grow in patience, and to stop worry in my life. I have gotten a lot better, but…I still feel like I have a long way to go. So…I’m looking for Lent to help me grow in these two areas…to abandon worry, and surrender to God in all things, and to become more patient of a person. How might I go about something like this? Through prayer…are there ‘exercises’ I can do to help in these areas?

Are you trying to sacrifice something ‘invisible’ for Lent, too?

Look forward to your replies.

I could really use this advice. I am trying to make a baby (two months - first month timing was off though) and I need to work on accepting that another baby would be up to God.

I get anxious b/c I’m 37 and feel like my time is almost up

 

[whatevergirl]

I could really use this advice. I am trying to make a baby (two months - first month timing was off though) and I need to work on accepting that another baby would be up to God.

I get anxious b/c I’m 37 and feel like my time is almost up

I will keep you in my prayers! You know, I understand, but my mom had me when she was IN her 40’s…so it’s possible. I think that Lent gives us an opportunity to reflect on things differently, than when it’s not Lent, you know? Like perhaps this was something you always prayed and reflected about, but during Lent, you can “practice” more patience as a way of surrendering it up to God. Not sure if I’m making sense.

 

[whatevergirl]

How about saying the Rosary everyday, s-l-o-w-l-y, and deeply meditating on each mystery – setting aside time in your day solely for that, doing nothing else.

Already say the Rosary everyday slowly and deeply? Try expanding the time you spend by saying ALL the mysteries of the Rosary everyday.

You know, I do pray it daily, but sometimes I miss saying it on the weekend, so I can definitely incorporate that…and perhaps add some Lenten prayers …I have also as a Lent “resolution” prayed the Chaplet daily…I wish I would stick with these practices AFTER Lent…I usually stick with praying the Chaplet in addition to the Rosary for a short time after Lent, and then I guess I allow the details of life to get in the way.

thank you!

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

I to am giving up something invisible. I am trying to give up arguing. Not mean bickering but always saying that extra word to get my way or make people agree with me. I think this is very hard, I have a big mouth! If you say something rhetorical or in general I feel the need to supply a response or answer. I try to fit the rosary in but I pray the rosary in secret and completely alone. Like how todays reading talks about praying in your closet (room). Does any one know a good site or could tell me how to truly pray the rosary with out getting distracted or starting to just recite words and not really pray from your heart and soul.

I also am hoping that by stopping the need to have my way and keep explaining and just talking so that I can listen. I 'm hoping that this will allow me to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit in regards to my conversion. From what I think and know I feel The Catholic Church is best for me but I want to submit to God and completely trust in him to guide me.

 

[monicatholic]

Does any one know a good site or could tell me how to truly pray the rosary with out getting distracted or starting to just recite words and not really pray from your heart and soul.

and

So…I’m looking for Lent to help me grow in these two areas…to abandon worry, and surrender to God in all things, and to become more patient of a person. How might I go about something like this? Through prayer…are there ‘exercises’ I can do to help in these areas?

I’m no spiritual advisor, but here’s what helps me:

when I pray the rosary, if i realize i just spaced out and wrote a grocery list while i recited Hail Mary’s to the third Luminous Mystery, I just back up on the beads and pray them again.

Because of this, sometimes I don’t finish five decades, but what I do pray is from my heart and soul.

As for those invisible sacrifices, I use Alcoholic’s anonymous
10th and 11th step, which are these:

*continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it
and
*sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God (as we understood Him) praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

So I sacrifice a thing (this time complaining). When I complain, I admit my wrong to whomever I’m complaining. Then I ask God for through-the-day awareness of my intent to avoid complaining and ask Him for the power to carry that out.

the result? a flawed and imperfect Lent. Because I’m so involved in the process, that’s the best I get.

 

[Mirdath]

The last Lent I did anything for, I decided to go for actually doing something instead of giving it up – sacrifice doesn’t always have to mean loss of something you value, it can be a sacrifice of your time and effort.

So I read Aquinas

 

[graceandglory]

and

I’m no spiritual advisor, but here’s what helps me:

when I pray the rosary, if i realize i just spaced out and wrote a grocery list while i recited Hail Mary’s to the third Luminous Mystery, I just back up on the beads and pray them again.

Because of this, sometimes I don’t finish five decades, but what I do pray is from my heart and soul.

As for those invisible sacrifices, I use Alcoholic’s anonymous
10th and 11th step, which are these:

*continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it
and
*sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God (as we understood Him) praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

So I sacrifice a thing (this time complaining). When I complain, I admit my wrong to whomever I’m complaining. Then I ask God for through-the-day awareness of my intent to avoid complaining and ask Him for the power to carry that out.

the result? a flawed and imperfect Lent. Because I’m so involved in the process, that’s the best I get.

:clapping:

 

[whatevergirl]

I to am giving up something invisible. I am trying to give up arguing. Not mean bickering but always saying that extra word to get my way or make people agree with me. I think this is very hard, I have a big mouth! If you say something rhetorical or in general I feel the need to supply a response or answer. I try to fit the rosary in but I pray the rosary in secret and completely alone. Like how todays reading talks about praying in your closet (room). Does any one know a good site or could tell me how to truly pray the rosary with out getting distracted or starting to just recite words and not really pray from your heart and soul.

I also am hoping that by stopping the need to have my way and keep explaining and just talking so that I can listen. I 'm hoping that this will allow me to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit in regards to my conversion. From what I think and know I feel The Catholic Church is best for me but I want to submit to God and completely trust in him to guide me.

I’ll pray for your intent to stop getting that last word in! I know, that can be tempting at times. lol

Regarding the Rosary–have you ever prayed along with Mother Angelica on EWTN? I always stay focused by following her, and also…have over the years asked for certain intentions before each decade, and focus on the intention, etc…

 

[whatevergirl]

The last Lent I did anything for, I decided to go for actually doing something instead of giving it up – sacrifice doesn’t always have to mean loss of something you value, it can be a sacrifice of your time and effort.

So I read Aquinas

That’s a great point. I would love to go to daily mass…at least one mass per week, in addition to Sunday…I did this in Pittsburgh, but it’s tougher here, there is no parish near where I work…and the morning mass is mid morning, near where I live. I agree that sacrifice can come in many forms, and it doesn’t always mean…lessening something. When we sacrifice, we actually gain, interestingly enough.

 

[blue_skies_1]

I’m giving up two things this Lent!

One is more physical - eating between meals. I think this will be a good discipline for me and help me to appreciate meals more.

I’m also giving up something ‘invisible’… complaining! I didn’t think I actually complained that much but decided it would be a good idea anyway… and one and 1/2 days in, I’ve noticed myself start to do it two or three times and had to stop myself! So I think this was a good thing to choose!

 

[blue_skies_1]

I’m giving up two things this Lent!

One is more physical - eating between meals. I think this will be a good discipline for me and help me to appreciate meals more.

I’m also giving up something ‘invisible’… complaining! I didn’t think I actually complained that much but decided it would be a good idea anyway… and one and 1/2 days in, I’ve noticed myself start to do it two or three times and had to stop myself! So I think this was a good thing to choose!

 

[blue_skies_1]

I’m giving up two things this Lent!

One is more physical - eating between meals. I think this will be a good discipline for me and help me to appreciate meals more.

I’m also giving up something ‘invisible’… complaining! I didn’t think I actually complained that much but decided it would be a good idea anyway… and one and 1/2 days in, I’ve noticed myself start to do it two or three times and had to stop myself! So I think this was a good thing to choose!

 

[Appleby]

I’ll pray for your intent to stop getting that last word in! I know, that can be tempting at times. lol

Regarding the Rosary–have you ever prayed along with Mother Angelica on EWTN? I always stay focused by following her, and also…have over the years asked for certain intentions before each decade, and focus on the intention, etc…

I pray with Father Mitch (the Holy Land Rosary) in the morning before I leave for work. He goes through the Rosary very quickly though, so I have to pay close attention. His prayers are in sites that relate to the Mystery and it helps me to focus on what they are about.

My Lenten task is to pray three Rosaries a week for the conversion of Obama and his renunciation of Satan, his pomps and vanities and all his empty promises. My confessor advised it as a way to get around my extreme dislike of the man and everything he stands for.

 

[Katie1723]

A few weeks ago, I lost my job. I have been feeling sorry for myself long enough. So , for Lent, I have decided to go out every day and go for a walk. I am not exactly giving anything “up”. Unless, you want to say I am giving up feeling sorry for myself.
Kathy

 

[whatevergirl]

A few weeks ago, I lost my job. I have been feeling sorry for myself long enough. So , for Lent, I have decided to go out every day and go for a walk. I am not exactly giving anything “up”. Unless, you want to say I am giving up feeling sorry for myself.
Kathy

That would be a good thing to give up. I have been meaning to tell you katie, I’m so sorry to hear that. I read that in another thread where you participated, and just got distracted. Please know I care, and if you ever wanna chat, please feel free to pm me.

 

[Lost_Lamb]

I’m trying to be a nicer person for Lent. When I went away from the Church, I started getting angrier. I’m wanting to lose that anger. Good luck to all of us!

 

[mullenpm]

“My Lenten task is to pray three Rosaries a week for the conversion of Obama and his renunciation of Satan, his pomps and vanities and all his empty promises. My confessor advised it as a way to get around my extreme dislike of the man and everything he stands for.”

Appleby, now this is something I must do. I do say the Rosary every day but specifically doing the three Rosaries a week with this intention is something that needs to be done and I will join you. My thanks to your Confessor.:bowdown2: