Lenten Sacrifice Prayer & Accountability Thread

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FishForLent

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Let’s offer up our Lenten sacrifice and penance here. 🙂

I made this thread so that we can commit to a certain sacrifice which we may want to offer up for certain prayer intentions, including intentions here in this subforum. This sacrifice may be a pleasing but morally licit thing that we may give up but find it difficult to do so.

I realize that posting our sacrifices may inspire pride and spoil their merits. We must avoid this by purifying our intentions. We are only posting to help us become committed to sacrifice and prayer during Lent, to foster a spirit of offering up a sacrifice for others, and to let others know that we are praying and sacrificing for them, especially those who are posting their intentions in the Prayer Intentions subforum.

To avoid temptation to pride, here are some suggestions:
  1. Join with an anonymous username.
  2. Make other sacrifices that you won’t post in this thread
  3. You may just post an “unspecified sacrifice” that only you are aware of
  4. Remember that we are sinners. We are only uniting our sacrifices to Christ’s and this is what gives it value. We are able to fulfill a sacrifice only because God gave us the grace to do so
  5. Let us offer our sacrifice at the foot of the Cross, knowing that there can be no sacrifice greater than Christ’s
  6. Let us offer our sacrifice out of love for our Lord who suffered greatly for love of us.
How to join:
  1. Give the specific sacrifice you want to commit to during the Lenten season (or just put “unspecified sacrifice”
  2. Indicate your intentions for this sacrifice.
  3. As much as possible, everyday during Lent, examine yourself at the end of the day if you have accomplished the sacrifice. Thank God for being able to or say sorry to God for not being able to do so. Post a prayer here everyday (if you can) to remind yourself of your resolution.
PS. I’m not sure if this is a good idea, so please correct me if you think it’s a mistake.
 
FishForLent said:
Let’s offer up our Lenten sacrifice and penance here. 🙂

I made this thread so that we can commit to a certain sacrifice which we may want to offer up for certain prayer intentions, including intentions here in this subforum. This sacrifice may be a pleasing but morally licit thing that we may give up but find it difficult to do so.

I realize that posting our sacrifices may inspire pride and spoil their merits. We must avoid this by purifying our intentions. We are only posting to help us become committed to sacrifice and prayer during Lent, to foster a spirit of offering up a sacrifice for others, and to let others know that we are praying and sacrificing for them, especially those who are posting their intentions in the Prayer Intentions subforum.

To avoid temptation to pride, here are some suggestions:
  1. Join with an anonymous username.
  2. Make other sacrifices that you won’t post in this thread
  3. You may just post an “unspecified sacrifice” that only you are aware of
  4. Remember that we are sinners. We are only uniting our sacrifices to Christ’s and this is what gives it value. We are able to fulfill a sacrifice only because God gave us the grace to do so
  5. Let us offer our sacrifice at the foot of the Cross, knowing that there can be no sacrifice greater than Christ’s
  6. Let us offer our sacrifice out of love for our Lord who suffered greatly for love of us.
How to join:
  1. Give the specific sacrifice you want to commit to during the Lenten season (or just put “unspecified sacrifice”
  2. Indicate your intentions for this sacrifice.
  3. As much as possible, everyday during Lent, examine yourself at the end of the day if you have accomplished the sacrifice. Thank God for being able to or say sorry to God for not being able to do so. Post a prayer here everyday (if you can) to remind yourself of your resolution.
PS. I’m not sure if this is a good idea, so please correct me if you think it’s a mistake.
Click to expand...
Lots of good ideas…I have a question/comment that I would like feedback on…

If Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice, WHY do our churches offer the ALL YOU CAN EAT fish, fries, side dishes, desserts, and even beer on Fridays during Lent? Doesn’t this collide with fasting and abstaining? Why does it matter if you have a burger on Friday or an ALL YOU CAN EAT meal? Neither is fasting to me.
 
My 2 cents on the fish fry…

It may be that the fish fry is a way to establish community with people in the parish during a liturgical season. Also, many people do fast and the Church recognizes a fast as 1 main meal and 2 snacks. Many people have fasting restrictions so they might be doing a modified fast for health reasons but still participate in the Lenten sacrifices. And a church fish fry might be their one meal. That is just my take on it 🙂
 
Luker said:
Lots of good ideas…I have a question/comment that I would like feedback on…

If Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice, WHY do our churches offer the ALL YOU CAN EAT fish, fries, side dishes, desserts, and even beer on Fridays during Lent? Doesn’t this collide with fasting and abstaining? Why does it matter if you have a burger on Friday or an ALL YOU CAN EAT meal? Neither is fasting to me.
Click to expand...
LOL! You make a good point…however, not all churches do this.
Our K of C does a Lenten fish fry before the Stations…an average portion, no fries, slaw, water or iced tea. no dessert. Simple meal of fish, with a light vegetable.
Peace to you!

pianist
 
I like this idea.
I will say that my sacrifice is unspecified and so far I have done it despite an issue that occurred Tuesday that made me want to change it plus my love’s advice to NOT make that sacrifice.
as for fasting; technically I don’t have to really because of health conditions (and I suck at fasting! especially with my sacrifice) but I am trying to limit and I am abstaining from meat on Fridays.
another thing I’m doing came from a suggestion on relevant radio: read through all 4 of the gospels. I’m also about to do the Lenten devotional booklet and I’m thinking of going to adoration and trying to connect more closely to Our Lady.
writing it down makes it seem like a lot all of a sudden but not really. my struggle is with adoration and the rosary. but if I can do these things I believe it will help me deepen my relationship to Jesus.
 
Luker said:
Lots of good ideas…I have a question/comment that I would like feedback on…

If Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice, WHY do our churches offer the ALL YOU CAN EAT fish, fries, side dishes, desserts, and even beer on Fridays during Lent? Doesn’t this collide with fasting and abstaining? Why does it matter if you have a burger on Friday or an ALL YOU CAN EAT meal? Neither is fasting to me.
Click to expand...
For some the fish dinners offered by the churches (usually after the Stations on Fridays) is the one full meal that people will partake of for Friday. It also serves as a bringing together of the parish as a Lenten activity.
 
Luker said:
Lots of good ideas…I have a question/comment that I would like feedback on…

If Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice, WHY do our churches offer the ALL YOU CAN EAT fish, fries, side dishes, desserts, and even beer on Fridays during Lent? Doesn’t this collide with fasting and abstaining? Why does it matter if you have a burger on Friday or an ALL YOU CAN EAT meal? Neither is fasting to me.
Click to expand...
LOL. Well, to be fair, that church only offers food but it’s entirely up to how much you’re going to take. 😛
 
donna369 said:
I like this idea.
I will say that my sacrifice is unspecified and so far I have done it despite an issue that occurred Tuesday that made me want to change it plus my love’s advice to NOT make that sacrifice.
as for fasting; technically I don’t have to really because of health conditions (and I suck at fasting! especially with my sacrifice) but I am trying to limit and I am abstaining from meat on Fridays.
another thing I’m doing came from a suggestion on relevant radio: read through all 4 of the gospels. I’m also about to do the Lenten devotional booklet and I’m thinking of going to adoration and trying to connect more closely to Our Lady.
writing it down makes it seem like a lot all of a sudden but not really. my struggle is with adoration and the rosary. but if I can do these things I believe it will help me deepen my relationship to Jesus.
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard donna369! 👍 I pray that you’d be able to fulfill these wonderful resolutions.

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women
And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

:signofthecross:
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†
 
Since no one seems to be reacting violently, I’d take it that it’s okay to do.

The sacrifice I would like to commit to this thread is limiting my non-essential social media use to a maximum of 1 hour per day. I’ll also be foregoing all forms of electronic games.

I offer this up for the following intentions:
  1. For the intentions of Pope Francis, that he may be able to lead the Church effectively so that more people would be able to live more faithful Christian lives. I pray that he may be able to use the right words that would proclaim the truth with unambiguous words capable of converting sinners. I also pray that the media would not distort his words.
  2. For all bishops, priests, the religious, and all the faithful, especially those occupying leadership positions and those active in the apostolate: may they be able to live exemplary Christian lives and to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to them by Christ
  3. For sinners, unbelievers, and those enslaved by vices, that the mercy and grace of God penetrate their minds and hearts and convert them. May the faithful become convincing witnesses to draw them to the family of Christ.
  4. For the suffering, the poor, the sick, the dying; for those afflicted with addiction; for victims of abuse and sinfulness; for the lonely; for those living in deplorable conditions; for those living in strife, war, and social unrest; those burdened by difficult problems; may they not despair and instead be filled with hope; may the love and mercy of God comfort them and bring relief and resolution to their sufferings; may those around them extend their love and help to them; may charity abound in these situations.
  5. For secular leaders, that they would be guided by God’s wisdom to work for a just, humane, and prosperous society; that all nations would enact just laws and repeal or reject unjust laws that are contrary to the will of God, including abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage/unions, death penalty, laws promoting and sponsoring contraceptive use, laws that contrary to the dignity of life and the integrity and welfare of the human family;
  6. For all souls in purgatory, especially those who have no one to pray for them, my relatives and loved ones, and those I have promised to pray for;
  7. For the prayer intentions in this subforum according to God’s will, especially those qualifying under the above intentions and those I have specifically prayed for;
  8. Finally for the material and spiritual needs of my own family, especially those we’ve been ardently praying for…
Today is Day 1 (I haven’t yet resolved to do this yesterday).

I managed to time my facebook use. I almost got tempted by an update of the PvZ2 game, but I was thrilled by the thought of celebrating Easter with a complete update, so I was able to put it off. 😃 Thank you, Lord!
 
Broke my sacrifice this week. 😦

I will reduce my social network time to 30mins and add another unspecified sacrifice to make up for it.
 
I haven’t been very faithful in some days, but recently I was able to. It was very tempting to play PvZ because the new world update has finally arrived. However, I shall delay it until Easter.

I offer this up for my above intentions and for the prayer intentions in this forum.

You died, Jesus, but the source of life flowed out for souls
And the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world
O Fountain of Life, immeasurable Divine Mercy
Cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us
O Blood and Water, which flowed out from the Heart of Jesus
As a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in You

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One
Have Mercy on us and on the whole world

Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You
 
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