Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when Christians are called to renew their commitments to spiritual practices like Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving. The season is intended as a time for personal conversion leading up to Easter. The belief is that our consistent participation in these practices — like exercise we do for our physical health — is a form of purification that improves our spiritual well-being by stripping away all that is unnecessary and by becoming more mindful of our ultimate dependence on God in our lives. Lent is an annual opportunity to grow in our faith, which means it’s about much more than giving up unhealthy foods or treats, as you may have done when you were a kid. It is about abstaining from whatever is unhealthy in our lives — gossip, laziness, lack of social conscience — and, most importantly, taking concrete steps to do something more. Challenge yourself this year, and go beyond the clichés of “giving up” something. Now is a great time to take stock of your spiritual life, and to grow in it.

Our Lenten fasts have a tendency to be oriented or even limited toward things like giving up food or TV. Instead of just giving up sweets or TV, we are going to add a few more ideas that we can focus on during 40 days before Easter.

Each Wednesday of each week leading up to Easter we will abstain from meals from 6am to 6pm each week. Lent starts on March 5th – April 19th, 2014

1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family that extra dose of love.
2. Fast from division. Strive to be in unity with everyone.
3. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, remember how Jesus overlooks our faults.
4. Fast from low self-esteem, pessimism, and negativity. Be positive in your outlook on life.
5. Fast from discouragement. Let’s have hope in all that we do.
6. Fast from personal anxiety, fear, and worry. Jesus is watching over our lives. Put your trust in him.
7. Fast from lethargy. Have enthusiasm for life.
8. Fast from the problems that overwhelm your life and wear you down. Pray and ask Jesus for help.
9. Fast from complaining. When you’re about to complain, try to appreciate all the moments of joy.
10. Fast from too much self-concern. Put yourself in the shoes of other people.
11. Fast from any resentments or bitterness. Forgive those who have hurt your life.
12. Fast from conversations that are negative or filled with gossip. Encourage one another.
13. Fast from spending too much money. Reduce your spending by 10% and have your
family give the savings to the poor. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— Isaiah 58:6-7
14. Fast from too much of the world. In Lent, give extra time to Jesus.

* Source of fast suggestions: 

WEDNESDAYS FAST DATES LEADING UP TO EASTER (6AM -6PM)

MARCH 5, 2014

MARCH 12, 2014

MARCH 19, 2014

MARCH 26, 2014

APRIL 2, 2014

APRIL 9, 2014

APRIL 16, 2014