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When we give up something for Lent — whatever that might be, we’re ultimately going to be tempted to fill that desire with something else. So the best Lenten advice we can share with you is to prepare for that — to know that you’re going to be tempted, and to have a plan for what you’re going to do in that moment.
So when you consider what to give up this Lent, also plan for what you’ll replace it with… Because every time we say “no” to something, we’re saying “yes” to something else — even if we don’t realize it.
So here are some of our suggestions of what you can replace the thing you’re giving up with… Things you can say “yes” to while you say “no” to what you’re giving up:
+ If you’re giving up social media: Replace it with reading the daily Mass readings, or a daily devotional, or replace it with listening to a podcast (like ours or the Bible in a Year podcast). Text a friend about what you’re reading. Put a picture of a short prayer as the background of your phone and pray it every time you reach for it.
+ If you’re giving up podcasts, tv shows, or movies: Replace it with watching or listening to Catholic talks that help you grow in your faith life, like the online Pray More Lenten Retreat, or Formed videos, or daily homilies you can find online. Take the time you would have spent watching a show and pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or visit the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.
+ If you’re giving up complaining: Replace it with a journal of gratitude and praise for the Lord. Write down the little blessings you see around you throughout your day. Plan to share an encouragement or compliment with someone each day. Say prayers of gratitude every morning before getting out of bed and every night as you fall asleep.
+ If you’re giving up shopping: You can donate what you no longer need or volunteer your time during Lent. You could visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and ask them if they need something before you drop by.
+ If you’re giving up any sort of food or drinks: You can replace it with a prayer for those who are hungry and in need. For people who are lonely or forgotten, or for the souls in Purgatory. You can volunteer to make a meal for someone in your parish.
Whatever you give up, we hope these suggestions will be helpful for you to have a fruitful Lent.
The Lord is with you as you pray, fast, and give! And these sacrifices for the Lord are one way that we can grow in holiness during Lent.
Dear St. Jude,
Thank you so much for your prayers for me during the Lenten season which is almost at an end soon. I hope others may reach out to you and that your prayers shower them with many blessings as well. St. Jude pray for us!
I’m giving up meats n sweet things so that God may grant family unity and forgiveness . And add deliverance from generational curses and deseases.
Asking for prayer for my son who is in trouble with the law, he seems to be so repented now but consequences will have to be paid. He was such a servant of the Lord, we are crushed as to where he got off track. Our daughter who is gay. This was not how we raised either of them. I ask the Lord that if he will not take the pain away then give me the strength and faith to endure until the end. Thank you for the wonderful suggestions for Lent. I plan to journal so I can write down what I am thankful for instead of complaining.
Thank you, this is very helpful
I never realized before that I was replacing what I gave up for something else, or thought to give up complaining. What an enlightening article – thank you so much!
John_Paul and Annie,i have never thought of that idea,that whenever i give up on something during lent,it should be replaced by something else. Thanks
Pray for my grandson to get into amherst UMass if you think that’s best for him. Want to stay home every Christmas with my immediate family! Hope my brother get in and lives his apartment at Drake!
Please pray for my mom who has an MRI next week, please pray she gets a clean bill of health. Mary of Lourdes pray for us
I am looking forward to praying the Lenten
Prayers. May God bless those who reach out and touch the heart Jesus and those who struggle with pain, illness and addictions. We pray in Jesus’s name. Amen
Dear John Paul & Annie thank you for those suggestion for Lent because I knew how to give up but didn’t know what to do after…. Thanks again.
Can you pray for my Grand daughter who will be eight this year and is giving a lot of trouble at school.. God Bless.
John-Paul and Annie, thank you for these great suggestions.
Dear Mama Mary, Papa Joseph be with all of us in our journey this 2024 Lent and lead us each day closer to Jesus our Redeemer. Bless us to pray, fast, repent, give of ourselves. Amen
These are useful ideas when giving up things for Lent, I never thought of it in that way before. Thank you both and bless you.
Thank you soooo much for the Lenton replacement ideas! I never really thought about that! I’ve decided that this is my year to begin, consciously, placing God first in everything until it becomes a regular unconscious act.
I look forward to using your shared ideas!
Thank you, and God bless you.
Clothes shopping
Thank you Jesus for all our blessings Amen 🙏 needing prayers for healing of my brother-in-law Donald from his seizures and prayers for my son Enrique healing from his addiction and prayers for all who needs healing Amen
Dear Mary of Lourdes, I come before you in my humbleness asking you to touch the persons on my daily prayer list with your healing touch and remove all sickness from our bodies , in particular that of myself, wife Fay , daughter Michelle, brother Mark and King Charles. Most immaculate holy you know everything about us and what we are suffering from. Thank you mother Mary , Amen. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Please pray for my son who is a non believer!!
I am so worried about is salvation. Please pray for Michael F. He also he is a by sexual and I know that is not going to gain him any graces with our loving God.
God bless you for all you all you do for us sinners!!
Love you Bunches!!!!!!!!!!
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Please help heal me from my heartbreak and past traumas. I want to live a happy and healthy life in the Lord and I want to trust in Jesus’s plan for my life. Please help me make godly friends and to find a loving, stable and healthy husband. Please help lead me on the right path. I ask for your protection. Thank you for your many blessings that you have provided me with. Please remove any resentment, negative emotions/feelings and unforgiveness from my heart and replace it with love. Thank you. Amen
Our Lady of Lourdes, Please show me you are my mother and ask your Son to answer my prayers. My grandson has a long way to go to be healed, his wounds and addiction. My daughter and her health. Please keep the rest of my family healthy as well. Thank you, in Jesus’s name, amen.
What if you are giving up smoking cigarettes for lent?
Great granddaughter whos going to the Dr.today for a check up on her broken leg ,pray she won’t need a rod in her leg.
Thank you for these suggestions.
Lord, help me to lay down my troubles, to trust in you to restore my marriage in your image.
This lent let me be grateful and stop complaining. Give me your eyes to see what miracles are all around in my time of marriage crisis. To see the good you are working.
Thanks be to God
Mother Mary through your intercession I ask that my brother be released from his consumption of alcohol and all his symptoms be alleviated including healing for his ankle ulcer.
Healing for my daughter’s High blood pressure and migraine headaches and journey with her to continue working for the Lord in her parish.
Healing for myself, take away what is not of you .Heal my Low blood count.
Heavenly Father I pray that my sister in laws mother whom is battling cancers be healed and that she be not suffering with pain.
Be with her husband, daughters and her grandchildren as they see her fighting for her life. In your holy name I pray for them all. Amen
Please pray for my husband who will be going through Tests on Tuesday
And also having a biopsy on his lungs. Please dear Jesus and mother Mary please pray for us And let us have a good Result. Do you have never let me down
R.P.M
Dear Lord Jesus,
I pray that God you come in for us and free us from heavy debts. I pray particularly for my husband to repent and come back to receiving the eucharist which he has abandoned. Pray for my whole family to come back to the love of Christ. Jesus intervene for me as I fight this battle alone. With the intercession of Mother Mary. Amen
Thank you for those great suggestions. And indeed we thank you for constantly and consistently inspiring us thru Novenas, Prayers, Retreats, etc.
May Our Lord accompany you in everything you do.
V.P.K.
Dear Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, I pray for my husband to be cured from liver ailments. Please give him the strength to overcome the desire to drink alcohol so his liver is completely healed. I also pray for the severe pains in my shoulder, upper arm, back & neck. I pray for peace in the world especially for the war between Israel and Palestine. I make this prayer through the powerful intercession of our most beloved Mother Mary. AMEN
Dearest sweet lady of Lourdes,intercede on my behalf to sweet Jesus that he heals me of fatty liver. Also pray for my husband against any form of infirmity.
Dearest Lady of Lourdes, please ask your Beloved Son, Jesus, to heal the souls who have fallen away from the Catholic Church.
Help them return to their Faith.
Thank you Jesus and Blessed Mother 🙏.