“The devil said to him… ‘All this will be yours, if you worship me.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” – Luke 4:6-8
As we begin this Lenten season, it is important to realign our focus upon the first and foremost Commandment: The LORD is God, He alone. We should worship none other than He, and we should love Him with all our heart.
Lent offers us a great opportunity to do precisely that. It gives us a chance to put the Lord back to the center of our lives, in the middle of our hearts, and on the top of our minds. To help you love God better this Lent, I would like to share some concrete ideas, grouped under the categories of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
First, let’s talk about prayer. How should one pray? In his book Prayer for Beginners, Dr. Peter Kreeft says, “The single most important piece of advice about prayer is one word: Begin!” Simply make time to pray – that is the first step. Regular communication is essential for maintaining human relationships, and it is no different when it comes to having a relationship to God. Think of how loved you feel when someone spends his or her time with you. What better way is there to love God than to give your time and undivided attention to Him?
The most powerful act of prayer is the Holy Mass. It is the best way to give thanks to God (Eucharist means thanksgiving). This Lent, try attending a weekday Mass in addition to Sunday. You might also like spending time with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.
Interested in praying with the Scriptures? Give the practice of Lectio Divina a try. Latin for “Divine Reading,” this ancient practice involves reading through the same Scripture passage four times and reflecting upon it in four different ways. Learn more HERE and test it out on the Gospel reading for this Sunday.
Praying the Rosary is a great way to grow closer to Jesus with the help of His Blessed Mother Mary, the person who knows Him best. Click HERE for a simple guide to help you get started. During this Year of Mercy, you might also enjoy praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It is a beautiful devotion that utilizes the same beads as the Rosary and is often prayed on behalf of deceased loved ones.
For centuries, priests, monks, and nuns have prayed the Psalms morning, noon, and night (literally!) in the Liturgy of the Hours. This is actually the universal prayer of the Church, meant for all disciples, lay and consecrated alike. Check out this awesome (and free) iBreviary app to get started.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to prayer, but let’s move on to fasting. Intentional self-denial is one way of showing God that you love Him more than anything else. It demonstrates that He truly is the Lord of your life and the Source of your strength. Letting go of earthly goods opens our hearts to receive the Greatest Good – God Himself.
Sweets are an old favorite to fast from, but have you considered some of these other options? Try fasting from warm water (i.e., take cold showers) to be in solidarity with those who go without. Stop using salt, pepper, or other seasonings on your food, and you’ll soon appreciate them as a great gift. Turn off the radio while driving, and spend that time in prayer. Set aside Facebook, Instagram, and other social media for forty days and see what wonders the Lord can do in your life!
Ultimately, there is no better way to love God than to love another person. That is where almsgiving comes in. It is the practice of performing acts of charity and mercy for other people.
Visit the elderly residents of an assisted living facility. Volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen and actually share a meal with the guests. Write a letter to a friend or relative with whom you’ve fallen out of touch. Say a prayer for the person who cut you off while driving home from work. Sponsor a child so he or she can get an education.
Let’s love God by loving one another. Happy Lent!
Merciful Father, you have loved us, and so we long to love you in return. Make us worthy servants of your Holy Name and renew our hearts with your love this Lent. Amen.
