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Lenten Disciplines For ASSIST-JC and Other Followers of Jesus


The purpose of this Lenten Calendar is to help you observe the forty day period of prayer, penance and spiritual exercises in preparation for the proper celebration of Easter.

To discipline yourself, to refuse to give in to your "I want it now" side because you have promised God for these 40 days that you will deny yourself. This is your gift back to God for His gift to us in Jesus Christ.

"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand..."

-God (as quoted in Jeremiah 18:6)

The Lenten Discipline consists of three separate parts:

Corporal or External Fasts

This includes the abstinence from certain foods, drinks and amusements, i.e. music and parties during Lent. You are encouraged to choose an external fast simply because we seldom discipline our appetites in this culture.

Spiritual or Internal Fasts

This includes abstinence from "all evil" - sin. St. John Chrysostom (347-407A.D.) taught that "...the value of fasting consists not so much in abstinence from food but rather in withdrawal from sinful practices." St. Basil the Great (329-379A.D.) explains, "Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, suppressing evil desires and avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things - herein lies the true value of fast!"

Spiritual Changes

This includes the practice of virtues and good works as positive actions. These are intentional replacements of the negative actions being eliminated during Lent. The great leaders of the Christian Church during its early years (known as the Church Fathers) insisted that during Lent, the faithful attend as many Lenten worship services as possible.

"In order be Christians, we should resemble Christ; of this I am firmly convinced. Gandhi once said that if Christians lived according to their faith, there would be no more Hindus left in India. People expect us to be consistent with our Christian life."

-Mother Teresa

Many, if not most, Protestants have abandoned the practice of Lenten Discipline or reduced it to a simple, "What are you giving up for Lent?" without any stress on one's spiritual growth or amending one's life-style. Lent is a journey alongside Jesus as he makes his way to the cross. Lent is not a project to be completed, it is a spiritual sojourn in another realm...use this spiritual opportunity well.

"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

-St. Paul (Philippians 4:8-9)

The following are Lenten Disciplines that have aided Christians in the past to experience a holy and fruitful Lent. Make every effort to choose one from each list...or determine your own. Do not be overly ambitious. Better to begin with small steps...

External Fast Practices

  • At meals, take smaller portions of what you like and more of what you dislike

  • Take smaller helpings of each item

  • Eat and drink nothing between meals

  • Use no sweeteners in food or drink

  • Eliminate caffeine from your diet (as found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate)

  • Reduce or eliminate the radio, TV, or video and instead read spiritually uplifting material (Scripture, Christian biographies, etc.)

  • Pray the daily prayers and attend Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Sunday Worship

Internal Fast Practices

  • Avoid unnecessary talking; instead pray silently

  • Exercise patience in all things with everyone

  • Don't complain about anything

  • Curb anger and go out of your way to be kind to those who anger you most

  • Don't concern yourself with another's business

  • Avoid gossip and add nothing if gossip creeps into conversations around you

  • When asked to do something extra, do so with a joyful and pleasant attitude

  • Speak in a pleasant tone to everyone... especially in your family

  • Avoid using the telephone

  • Tell the truth in all your dealings