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The Power of the Lord\u2019s Prayer in Lent<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Lent is a season of repentance, reflection, and renewal. It is never too late to get started and it is a great practice for every day Christian living.\u00a0 I would like to introduce the Lord\u2019s Prayer as a model for deepening your relationship with God during Lent. The Lord\u2019s Prayer as found in <\/span>Matthew 6:9-13<\/span><\/a> reads, \u201cThis is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.\u00a0 Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. (usccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Also, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. What is fasting and abstinence? Catholic directives can be found on the <\/span>United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website<\/span><\/a>. This is a great resource for all things Catholic.<\/span><\/p>\n The norms (as found on the USCCB website) on \u201cfasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.\u201d Abstinence refers to meat. This includes all red meat and white meat. Fish is a great alternative and that is why there are so many fish frys during the Lenten Season.<\/span><\/p>\n Each section of the Lord\u2019s Prayer aligns with the key themes of Lent: repentance, dependence, provision, forgiveness, and spiritual strength. I have created a reading plan called,\u00a0 \u201c40-Day Reading Plan:The Lord\u2019s Prayer.\u201d\u00a0 You can request a copy for yourself at <\/span>https:\/\/www.michelegunn.com\/40-day-reading-plan<\/span><\/a>. Let\u2019s grow in faith together!! Following is<\/span> the Lord\u2019s Prayer broken down into six weeks for the 40 Days of Lent.<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on adoration and aligning with God\u2019s Holiness. Start Lent (or any time) by recognizing God\u2019s sovereignty and setting a foundation of worship.Spend time in daily worship and praise. Fast from distractions that take away from God\u2019s presence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Read Psalms that glorify God\u2019s holiness. For example, <\/span>Psalm 145<\/span><\/a>, \u201cPraise. Of David.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise, whose grandeur is beyond understanding. One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works. They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n tell of your wonderful deeds. They speak of the power of your awesome acts and recount your great deeds. They celebrate your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The LORD is good to all, compassionate toward all your works. All your works give you thanks, LORD\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n and your faithful bless you. They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your mighty works, Making known to the sons of men your mighty acts, the majestic glory of your rule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all his words, and loving in all his works. The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him,\u00a0<\/span>to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he destroys.<\/span><\/p>\n My mouth will speak the praises of the LORD; all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.\u201d (uccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on surrendering to God\u2019s Will. Lent is a time to seek alignment with God\u2019s plans rather than our own. Pray for a heart that desires God\u2019s will. Take inventory of areas where you resist surrendering control. Consider fasting from something that symbolizes self-will. This could be TV, social media or other personal indulgences.<\/span><\/p>\n Read and reflect on <\/span>Romans 12:2<\/span><\/a>, \u201cDo not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.\u201d (usccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on dependence on God\u2019s Provision. Recognize that God is the source of all we need, spiritually and physically. Practice gratitude by keeping a Lent journal of daily blessings. Serve others through acts of kindness, giving food or support to those in need.<\/span><\/p>\n Meditate on <\/span>Philippians 4:19<\/span><\/a>, \u201cMy God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on repentance and forgiveness. Lent calls for a heart examination, seeking God\u2019s forgiveness and extending grace to others. Make a list of areas where you need to repent and ask God for forgiveness. This next one may be hard. Commit to forgiving someone you\u2019ve held resentment against. Oftentimes, family can be the hardest to forgive. You can find some tips in this article titled, \u201c<\/span>Forgiving Family: Healing Through Faith and Letting Go.<\/span><\/a>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Meditate on Jesus\u2019 call to forgive. Read <\/span>Matthew 18:21-22<\/span><\/a>, \u201cThen Peter approaching asked him, \u201cLord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?\u201d\u00a0 Jesus answered, \u201cI say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. \u201c (usccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on spiritual warfare and strength against temptation. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness resisting temptation. The Lenten season invites us to do the same. Identify your biggest spiritual struggles and create a strategy for overcoming them. Fast from a specific habit or indulgence that leads to spiritual complacency.<\/span><\/p>\n Read <\/span>Ephesians 6:10-18<\/span><\/a> about the armor of God. \u201cFinally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones\u201d (usccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n This week focuses on living in resurrection hope. As Lent concludes, shift focus to Christ\u2019s victory over sin and death. Spend time reflecting on the meaning of Christ\u2019s sacrifice and resurrection. Write a personal commitment to carry Lent\u2019s spiritual lessons beyond Easter.<\/span><\/p>\n Participate in Holy Week services. Spend time with the readings. Meditate on <\/span>John 11:25<\/span><\/a>, \u201dJesus told her, \u201cI am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,\u201d (usccb.org)<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some great, practical applications for the forty days of Lent.<\/span><\/p>\nFasting and abstinence are the foundations of celebrating Lent.<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Week 1: \u201cOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Week 2: \u201cThy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Week 3: \u201cGive us this day our daily bread\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Week 4: \u201cForgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\n
Week 5: \u201cLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Week 6 (Holy Week): \u201cFor Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
Practical Applications for the 40 Days of Lent<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
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