For many Catholics, Lent is associated with fasting. On Ash Wednesday, a favorite topic of Catholics is “What are you giving up for Lent?”  As children, we tried to give up a favorite treat. Candy was the toughest challenge for me. (Mom wouldn’t let me give up vegetables.) We try to discipline ourselves to deny something we will miss not having during this time.

Prayer may be the most obvious activity we engage in during Lent.  No matter how abundant our prayer life may be, Lent is an opportunity to spend more time in prayer.