Homilies & Reflections
Lent: A fasting format and prayer guide by Rev Fr. Donatus Pallu[Download]
The season of Lent on the Catholic Calender symbolises a period of abstinence and fasting. The 2021 lenting season begins on Ash Wednesday, 17th February and ends on 3 April, the night before Easter sunday. During this period Christian Catholics all over the world are expected to establish a spiritual connection with God through fasting and prayers before Easter.
In a guide prepared by Rev. Fr. Donatus Pallu for the period of lent , various prayers and fasting guidelines have been outlined to ensure an easy solemn fasting and prayer period for Catholics. Some of the prayers in this guide are:
- PSALM 51…….FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge. O see, in guilt was I born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may revive. From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse; my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn. In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, holocausts offered on your altar.
2. PRAYER BEFORE FASTING
I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me another opportunity to begin another moment of fasting and prayers. I praise you Jesus for directing me to embark on this fasting exercise.
I acknowledge my weaknesses as I embark on this journey. I pray for the strength to begin and complete this fasting successfully.
My Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to abstain from food and for my fellow youth to cut down on their intake of food and to avoid temptations during our fasting.
Father, help me not to miss my blessings in this fast and help me not to pray and fast in vain. Every power prepared to deny me of my benefits of this fast and my testimonies to be scattered in Jesus’ name.
May every power that is working hard to discourage me in partaking in this fast, be destroyed in the name of Jesus.
I pray to receive fresh anointing and courage to start and finish this fast in the name of Jesus.
Satan, you cannot defile my mouth with food and water this time. I am heavily fortified with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, I refuse to tempt myself with food and water during this fast. I wholly put my survival on you.
I ask that any part of my body that has been subjected to sin, O Lord, be delivered by Your Mercy.
May all my expectations and those of my youth be realized during this fast in the name of Jesus.
I command that any power that wants to increase my problems because of my fasting, fail in the name of Jesus.
May the blessings of this fast locate me and my youth and all those for whom I will be praying for in the name of Jesus.
May every word of prayer or intention that I utter receive heavenly approval speedily in the name of Jesus.
Lord, as I begin this fast, May I feel your presence always. May my thoughts, words and actions be filled with your presence.
I ask all these through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.