Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

Ash Wednesday Fasting: P90X Cross Training for the Soul

posted by Mark Herringshaw

Fat Tuesday is now swept up on the trash bins of the French Quarter. Ash Wednesday and Lent has arrived.

Many followers of Jesus set aside these next 40 days leading to Holy Week as a focused time for fasting and prayer. Lent can be an opportunity to invite God to search our hearts (Psalm 139), to reveal and then purge, anything that compromises our relationship with him.

Fasting is an ancient discipline practiced by many religions. For Christians fasting is a way for us demonstrate that our souls are stronger than our bodies, that we are not slaves to our appetites, but instead rule our appetites by the strength of the Holy Spirit living in us. Consider fasting an intense workout that builds inner muscle and capacity to walk in grace and the power of God… It’s a P90X workout for our souls!

Catholic believers between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday. U.S. bishops define fasting as eating only one full meal the entire day and two smaller portions of food during breakfast and lunch. All Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat.

Other Christian traditions leave the specifics of the fast to the conscience of the individual. The principle however is the same: Fasting helps us focus on our physical weakness and need for grace and forgiveness, and it strengthens our faith and power in the Spirit.

Consider entering a fast this Lenten season as a kind of Cross Training for your spiritual life

We’ll talk more about this in the days ahead.



You Might Also Like...
Previous Posts

“I Need a Job” - A Prayer
"Lord, you know I need work. I want to do my part and carry my weight. I’m not asking for a handout; but I do need your help landing the right employment. It’s been too long and I’m feeling frustrated. You know exactly the situation that fits my skills, my interests and my experience. You know

posted 2:02:50pm Mar. 28, 2013 | read full post »

Super Bowl Power Outage: Let There Be Light - a Prayer
“God, light matters. We need light and when light goes out, we’re thrown into confusion and even fear. When power fades or goes out, we need to turn to you. God, you are our power source. You are the source of light. As the lights have gone out in the Super Bowl it reminds us that you alone are

posted 8:52:33pm Feb. 03, 2013 | read full post »

SAD: A Prayer for Joy and 'Vitamin G’
“God, I need vitamin D, but even more I need ‘vitamin G.’ Today, I am heavy with sadness. These winter days are gloomy and cold and I crave the light. I was made for light. Even my body knows this. I need the vitamin D that comes from light, and now, in the shadows I feel pushed down and heavy

posted 6:58:33am Jan. 30, 2013 | read full post »

Egypt: A Prayer
“God, today we pray for Egypt, a nation one again in great turmoil. Save Egypt from violence and despair. You love this land, and always have, even when that love demanded your hand of discipline and judgment. Egypt along the Nile is intricately woven into the fabric of our histories together. It

posted 8:15:16am Jan. 29, 2013 | read full post »

Good Coffee: A Prayer of Thanks for Simple Pleasures
“Oh God, you are so creative and generous. The delicious cup of coffee I’m enjoying this morning has to be one of your great inventions. Thank you. I remember (as James reminds me – James 1:17) that every good and perfect gift comes from my Father, from You! Coffee is good, very good, as you s

posted 6:37:33am Jan. 25, 2013 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(2)
post a comment
Brad

posted March 10, 2011 at 8:54 am


Probably can’t fast and do P90X in the same day. You wouldn’t have the energy to do it.



report abuse
 

P90X workout

posted March 16, 2011 at 1:56 am


http://www.mbt-scarpe.net/
welcome our store,we have the best service and good price,you can find what you want in our online store.



report abuse
 

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.





Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.