This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Here are some ideas to use this Lent.

Watch The Chosen.

Yes, watch a television show, about Jesus.

As a former competitive athlete and former coach, I suggest a warm-up before we really stretch our legs so to speak.

This is not a difficult task. In fact, once you watch about 3 or 4 episodes, you’ll want to binge! And to that I say this – go for it, BINGE JESUS!

Maybe you are already watching it. Maybe you’ve watched each episode more than once already. If that’s you, skip to the next suggestion.

If you have not watched all the episodes of The Chosen, I highly recommend to designating one night a week this Lent to watch.

Commit to a Daily Morning Prayer Routine

Lent has three pillars: Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. When you give up a set time of sleep each night to wake up early to pray, you are embracing two of these pillars.

Give 15 minutes to God first thing in the morning.

What time do you normally wake up during the week? This Lent, wake up 15 minutes earlier

Set your alarm and sacrifice 15 minutes of sleep.

Before you even get out of bed, say these words, “Thank you God”. Then . . .

Read the Bible for 15 minutes.

Prayer Journal.

Read a holy book and prayer journal.

Make 15 minutes all about you and God.

Not sure how to start? Give this a quick look: How to Start a Prayer Journal in 3 Easy Steps

You may have already downloaded my 40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent. If you haven’t grab those to get you started. If you would like more ideas and prompts, I created this for you!

40 (MORE) Prayer Journal Prompts

Embrace the Sacraments More – Much More

Especially these two: The Eucharist and Reconciliation

Remember that warm-up- watch a TV Show – this is what it was warming up for . . .

Challenge yourself to go to Confession this weekend. Then dare yourself to go again the next weekend. Then dare yourself to go one more time within the same month.

Do you go to Mass on Sundays – in person? Are you still going virtually? Stop going virtually on Sunday. It became a habit for many during Covid . . . it’s time to go back into the building.

Perhaps you go to Mass on Sunday – but could you go during the week too?

Do you go to daily Mass? Could you add some Eucharistic Adoration time? Could you go to Mass earlier and pray the Rosary in Church?

Whatever you currently do – add one or two more things per month or maybe even per week.

Give yourself to God in a way that involves getting out of your house and into His house.

Almsgiving – make it personal

There’s a thing I’ve seen people talk about called “40 bags in 40 days” and it sounds great. I personally fill up bags to donate pretty frequently – but, it’s not personal.

Almsgiving can be putting money in a poor box or writing a check to a school or charity – and those things are good.

But this Lent, I’m challenging you to make it much more personal.

Do you know a widow? Could you invite him or her over for dinner? Could you mail them a card and maybe even a gift?

Do you know a family struggling with Catholic School tuition, and all the fees that go with music lesson, sports and extra-curricular activities? Perhaps you could offer to pay for soccer or the next month of piano lessons. Tell the person that this is how you want to give alms this Lent.

Are you lonely and feeling left out? Ask God to point you in the direction whose heart aches more . . . and pour out love in their direction. Make it weird.

And if you are the one struggling – this may be how God is calling you – give away your pride and allow another Christian to do this act of love for you.

It’s hard. It’s definitely humbling. But maybe you are allowing God into a heart by being the recipient.

Think of a way to give to someone directly. Make eye contact. Stay for a conversation. Tell a joke. Tell them about a time when someone helped you.

Make almsgiving personal this Lent.

Stations of the Cross

According to Catholic.org:

“The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.“

Praying the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent is a good way to increase prayer time and develop a better appreciate of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.

Children can participate in the Stations of the Cross as well. Saintly Heart has just started taking pre-orders for a Stations of the Cross kit that can be used at home and is perfect for little hands!

The post Catholic Lent Ideas for Busy Christians appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How’s Lent going in your house?

Whether you are doing great with making sacrifices or really never started, this dinner time discussion game is a great way to think about and encourage your family to keep this season of the year in mind as well as prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

This list was written by a college friend and she assured and encouraged me to share with all of you! Kristi – the writer of this awesome game – asked that you share more ideas in the comments!

We suggest you cut up these questions and pass them around the dinner table in a bowl.

****Want a downloadable/printable copy? Click here:*****

Would You Rather Lent Edition Printable

New challenge for 2025! 40 Truth or Dare Challenges for Lent!

WOULD YOU RATHER – 2021 Lenten Edition 

Questions inspired by the daily readings from the first ten days and the Sundays of Lent

1. Play a trumpet in front of a crowd or give money away in secret?
2. Wear sackcloth and ashes or eat bread with a stranger?
3. Spend 40 days on the ark in the flood, or spend 40 days in a desert alone?
4. Be a keeper of sheep, or a keeper of keys?
5. Be broken-hearted or fearful?
6. Be eaten by a whale or by lions?
7. Rejoice with one friend or 100 strangers?
8. Meet Abraham or Moses?
9. Sell doves or oxen?
10. Be blind or a beggar?
11. Be raised from the dead or see someone else be raised from the dead?
12. Be in a parade with friends or eat a special meal with friends?

Would you rather FAST FROM…

1. Sweets or the internet?
2. Cars or airplanes?
3. Video calls or texting?
4. Funny movies or action movies?
5. Talking or walking?
6. Hugs or high fives?
7. Reading or music?

Would you rather GIVE…

1. To a person you know or a charity group
2. To a stranger or a friend
3. To a homeless shelter or a school
4. A hundred dollars to ten people or a thousand dollars to one person
5. Money or food?
6. Your time or money?
7. Bread or fish?

Would you rather PRAY…

1. Alone or in a group?
2. With your own words or a recited prayer?
3. An old prayer from memory or read a new one?
4. In English or a different language?
5. The rosary or in silence?
6. In a church or in nature?
7. From the Bible every day, or never open the Bible again?

Does your family like this type of game? Do you have a child between the ages of 9 and 14? If yes, be sure to get him or her a Be Yourself Journal!

More activities for kids in here: Boy’s Bible Study

Girls’ Journal Club now available! Find out more here!

Do me a favor? Sign up for my newsletter so we can stay in touch!

Click here so I can send you new posts and keep you up to date with events and more –

Yes, sign me up for Prayer Wine Chocolate’s Newsletter!!!

Read my other blog here! More Lent ideas!

Honoring the Year of Saint Joseph? Check out this post filled with great Saint Joseph gifts! Over 25 Catholic Gifts Inspired by Saint Joseph

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This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you are totally focused this Lent or Lent began and you weren’t really ready or feeling it;
I have a few ideas to help you jump in or recharge!

Let’s talk about how we can Pray – Fast – Give today.

A Long Lost Prayer

Pray from your heart

I came across this prayer written by Saint Anselm and I LOVE IT!

Written by Saint Anselm of Canterbury

You can purchase this print from Pink Salt Riot!

I love this prayer for a journal entry!  Want to learn how to prayer journal in less than 10 minutes?  Check out this video: Prayer Journaling
Why do it and how to start!

Almsgiving Ideas that Anyone Can Afford

Fast and Give

Lent calls us to pray, fast and give.

Sometimes we do one better than the other two. Often, we forget about that last one: give.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels.  During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.

If we are truly fasting, we should have some extra resources to give.

I just went food shopping and saw almost 10 chocolate treats that I wanted to buy but didn’t.  If I did not give up chocolate for Lent, I would have spent at least 5 more dollars.

What am I doing with that 5 dollars?  I should probably give it to a good cause or ministry.

If you are concentrating on doing more good deeds, giving is doing a good deed.  And giving doesn’t always involve money.

You can give of your time.  You can give away some of your possessions.  You can give of your talent.

I wrote this article for Catholics Online and had so much fun finding unique ways to give!  One includes baby blankets, another Legos and another a kickstarter for a Catholic Comic Book!

7 Unique Ways to Give Alms This Lent

Donate a Be Yourself Journal!  You can donate one that I will give to a girl in need, OR you could purchase some and donate them to your parish or local Catholic School!!!

Need a Jolt to Your Lent?

Go to Confession. Especially if there is a voice in your head telling you not to. Haven’t been to Confession in quite some time?

I have this for you: Dear Catholic Who Hasn’t Been to Confession In . . .

Okay, let us know in the comments – which of these suggestions will you do TODAY!!?

We can help each other by sharing!

Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of my new book!

The post A Long Lost Prayer; Almsgiving Ideas that Anyone Can Afford and an Overall Jolt to Your Lent appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more details.

We’ve all heard of selective hearing, right?

Well, selective Lenting, I think I made that up – because I found myself completely guilty of it.

When I wrote about how I wasn’t going to give up Wine for Lent- I stated that I would pray for 20 minutes a day.

Which is a great goal – but what I forgot was

 Prayer is only one pillar of Lent.

There are two more – fasting and almsgiving.

I was quickly reminded of almsgiving and found a great way to incorporate that into my daily life. I’ll share more about that in another post.

What I totally forgot about was the importance of fasting.

In what seems like a lifetime ago, I read that the best way to fast was to consume only bread and water.

I don’t remember what I was reading at the time or what motivated me to fast – but I embraced it.  I started fasting one day a week, and I’m not even sure it was Lent at the time.

I was a teacher in a Catholic high school and one of our benefits at work was a “free” lunch.  I walked up to the counter, picked up a bottle of water and asked the woman at the deli for bread.  Our school minister, a kind priest named Father Al,  witnessed this and inquired about what I was having for lunch that day.  I told him what I read and what I was doing.  He looked at me, looked at the bread and looked back up at me and said:

You do something else.”

I knew exactly why he said it.  I was thin.  I still am.  It’s not because I eat healthy and exercise regularly – it’s all genetics.

He gave me that advice out of love.  Father Al wanted me to be and stay healthy.

That was years ago.

The problem is, I don’t think I ever found or looked for the something else.

What really reminded me about the importance of fasting this year was the Gospel the second Sunday of Lent.

Jesus, being fully divine, fasted for 40 days.

He ate nothing??!

On Ash Wednesday I ate a donut.

It was there, I was hungry and I rationalized that it wasn’t a full meal, so it was okay.

I’ve grown lazy.

Somehow in my spiritual journey in this life I went from just eating bread and water on a regular day to eating a donut on Ash Wednesday.

What the what?

That same weekend I heard the Gospel about Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days I felt compelled to watch a video where Jim Caviezel discusses his experience filming the Passion of the Christ.

Caviezel states in this interview (which I highly recommend watching) that the whole experience for him was a spiritual journey.

Jim Caviezel wanted people to see Jesus, not Him.  He felt strongly that the only way viewers would see Jesus and not him was through prayer -with prayer and fasting.

Isn’t that what we as Christians should all desire???

Caviezel’s testimony and performance in The Passion of the Christ demonstrate how fasting and prayer can allow others to see Jesus in ourselves.

Do we desire for others to see Jesus, or do we desire others to see us?

Well, isn’t that a great question to meditate upon?

I’m hanging my head in shame a little bit.

So I started really thinking about fasting.

And the next day I caught a stomach bug.

It became apparent to me that I need to fast.  The stomach bug helped me with that for a week.

I started to research more about fasting, and came across this article: Spiritual Weapons: Fasting

The article talks about how if we neglect fasting, our spiritual life will always be mediocre.

Caviezal states in the interview how he threw himself into prayer and fasting because he did not want to film the Passion of mediocrity.

Caviezal also points out in the interview:

“Everyone wants Resurrection, but no one wants suffering.”

I love how the article Spiritual Weapons: Fasting  gives this quote from Saint Basil:

Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood and perjury. Privation of these is true fasting.

If what this article states is true – if “fasting energizes prayer and prayer energizes fasting; if both are weak without the other” . . . how can we incorporate both into our modern, busy lives.

The one way I know I can do this is to fast from listening to music or from scrolling through social media and opt to pray instead.

When I drive, I almost automatically turn on the radio.  As I thought about fasting this week, I chose to not turn on the music.  What would strengthen that fast would be to pray while driving.  When the stomach bug had me in bed, I turned on youtube and searched “Rosary”.  I laid in bed and listened to the Rosary as I silently prayed with the voice coming from my PC.

I find that I do need help with this fasting thing, so here are some of my favorite fasting resources:

The 5 Minute Sacrifice for Lent

25 ideas for Non-Traditional Fasting, go to BeautifulCamoulage.com which can be found in this post: Hearts, Wine and Time: Your Ultimate Guide for Lent 2019

Videos to watch:

Jim Caviezel Interview

Fasting Can Change You Forever by Father Mike Schmitz

How do you fast?  How do you combine fasting with prayer?

The post Selective Lenting: I’m Guilty, Are You? appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more information.

Women:

Take Up and Read: Above All

*I was given a copy of Above All in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Whether you desire to spend time alone in the morning with the Lord and coffee, need a guide to help you pray during Eucharistic Adoration or you are searching for a devotional to share with a group of women throughout Lent, Above All is the perfect selection. Above All is a Lenten devotional journal from Take Up and Read that includes daily Scripture passages (set in context with enlightening historical notes to deepen your understanding), as well as devotional essays, room to journal, and space to organize your time. There is a simple prompt for the ancient prayer form of Lectio Divina each day, as well as a separate page for the fifth stage, Actio, where the reader is encouraged to examine her conscience and offer forgiveness to herself and to others.

Men:

Manual for Spiritual Warfare

The Catholic Hipster Handbook

Drinking with the Saints 

although this book may not exactly sound “holy”, I found it to be fascinating.  It has information about saints for each day of the year and the background given that connects the drink to the saint is truly eye opening.  It’s a great resource – even if you’re not a drinker!

Everyone:

The Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Tweens and Young Teens:

Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls

MISSION:CHRISTIAN February-March: A Journal for Catholic Kids on a Mission (Volume 7)

I HIGHLY recommend these journal pens from DaySpring Illustrated Faith Journal Pens

for anyone who enjoys prayer journaling!

Follow PrayerWineChocolate on Instagram!

Parents and Children:

As mentioned in The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People,   reading books based on faith to children can be beneficial to both the adult and child.

 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Matthew 18:17

Here are some books to bring into your nightly routine during Lent:

Molly McBride and the Party Invitation

(newest in the Molly McBride series – Molly McBride and the Purple Habit and Molly McBride and the Plaid Jumper can also be purchased on Amazon)!

Heaven is for Real

If You Had Five Minutes . . . What Would You Do?

Catholic Saints for Children

This is a wonderful practice my husband does with our son.  Each night before bed, he reads him a story and he reads about one Saint.  Often, my husband will come down after tucking our 5 year old in and tell me the Saint he read about and what he found interesting about him or her!

The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope

The All Saints Day Party

although All Saints Day is in November, this is a great deal on Amazon right now, and talks about several Saints in the school setting.

The Little Flower: A Parable About Saint Therese

the illustrations and message in this book are beautiful!

Paddy and the Wolves:A Story about Saint Patrick When He Was a Boy

since Saint Patrick’s Day falls within Lent, it’s the perfect time of year to read about this legendary saint.  This book imagines Saint Patrick as a young boy, weaving a story that uses the saint’s childhood adventures to foreshadow events in Saint Patrick’s adult life. It used the prayer of St. Patrick (Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me . . .) as part of the journey young St. Patrick takes with his adult shepherd friend.

Another Saint Patrick book: The Secret of the Shamrock

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A Children’s Bible

These two were recommended: The Read and Learn Bible and the Catholic Book of Bible Stories

Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima

Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times

There’s something about a book that rhymes!

Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience (Volume 1)

Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day

Meet the Risen Jesus with an amazing bunny―and his amazing tale―in this beautifully illustrated hardcover children’s book

Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter

Journey to the Cross

I Can Be Happy, Too

In simple rhyme accompanied by Scripture verses and sweet, expressive illustrations, I Can Be Happy, Too teaches children that while we can’t control the bad things that happen to us, we can control how we respond to disappointment and adversity.

The Parable of the Lily

Here’s a fun activity to try with your child or children!  I got this idea because my son gets a “math calendar” from school each month.  Whenever we complete one of the challenges, he LOVES to check off that box.  Here is a chart of the books suggested (and some say faith book you already own or book from the library).  Let your child check off each reading and then leave the completed chart for the Easter Bunny (for an extra special treat of course)!  The printable is free – you just have to give your email address which will put you on my email list!

Children’s Book Checklist

For Holy Week:

Sara from To Jesus, Sincerely has created a beautiful journal that focuses solely on Holy Week.  Purchase it at her Etsy shop: ToJesusSincerely

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I have 9 month old twins, a five year old and for the past few days, my husband was sick.

I need a shower.  I need to clean my kitchen and the amount of laundry that needs to folded reminds me once again that we own way to many clothes.

I also am trying to work from home.

For me, prayer happens right in the midst of all the crazy.

Going to adoration regularly is on the list.

My list might be longer than Santa’s.  It’s intimidating and today it is not yet on paper – so it’s on my mind, and “write a list” is on the list.

Once Lent begins, my schedule will be a lot of the same.

Crazy, busy, chaotic.

In order to truly prepare for Easter, my soul needs to engage in more prayer and fasting.

In order to do that, I’m looking to others that have found the same challenges and have created

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People!!

1. Pray while Parenting

Kirby Hoberg, who blogs at Under Thy Roof, suggests:

“Invest in some good children’s religious books”

Jessica, from Sweet Little Ones, suggest:

“Start small and make it fun!”

2. Find time to Pray the Rosary

Busyness doesn’t just cramp my prayer life, it intrudes on healthy habits, like exercising too.

Allison, from Reconciled to You, suggests we:

” . . .head outside to walk and pray.

 

A Rosary typically takes about 17 minutes to recite, most people aim to move 20 to 30 minutes a day – this equals (roughly) a rosary and a few extra laps. “

Going for a walk is already good for our bodies and our minds – adding prayer to the walk is an added bonus, and a wonderful idea. Added bonus, you can do it alone or pushing a stroller!

Monica from Equipping Catholic families reminds us:

There are also plenty of Audio Rosaries to listen to …or Catholic apps to keep track of the prayers so that you can focus on the actual prayer and reflection and leave the accounting to someone else.

Monica gives an extensive list in her article, “Reluctant to Regular Rosary Prayer”.  She includes CDs, Apps and links to digital downloads.

Here is a newer digital download to check out: The Kitchen Rosary

and a CD for your commute to work and to listen to at home: The Catholic Rosary

3. Remember that not all prayers are lengthy and time consuming!

Check out this post from earlier and print out 11 short prayers!
11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers (free printable)

The Bloggers at Hail Marry  creatively recommend to incorporate prayer in daily actions, such as:

Pray while washing your hands.  By the end of the day, the time spent praying adds up!

Becky Roach from Catholic Link states:

There are certain moments in life when a short prayer is what we need to restore our focus on God and bring forth a sense of calm.”

Check out 15 Powerful Prayers You Can Say in Just 15 Seconds! when you are in those certain moments!!!

4. Follow Faith Based Social Media Accounts  for Reminders to Pray

For an entire directory of Faith on Social Media, check out Catholics Online: A Directory of Catholic Social Media Influencers

Want a short cut? Follow on Twitter – Catholics Online, Prayer Wine Chocolate on Instagram and Catholics Online on Facebook

Leslie, from Life in Every Limb, reminds us to stop and pray for others while on our smart phones:

the thing about Facebook is that you see daily the friend or acquaintance for whom you have promised to pray . . . I see regular updates which remind me to keep that person’s intention in my prayers”

5. Prayer Journal

How does Prayer Journaling fit into a busy person’s schedule you ask?

One of the best answers comes from Dianna Kennedy over at The Kennedy Adventures

I spend a lot of time in that particular workspace and on my computer, so it sort of made sense back in August 2012 when I started incorporating Evernote into my daily prayer routine.

More ideas for prayer journaling on a busy schedule: WHEN DO REAL WOMEN FIND TIME TO PRAYER JOURNAL?

DaySpring has AWESOME PRAYER JOURNALING PRODUCTS!

Kids can prayer journal too!  Have you checked out my first book Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls?  It’s available on Amazon with Prime shipping as well as right here!

5. Sign up to be somewhere with others

Many, hopefully most, parishes provide opportunities to pray and reflect with the community during Lent.  Sign up for something, make the commitment and remember, people are expecting you there!  Runners do this for accountability, surely we can use this tactic to light a fire under our bottoms too

Last year a group of women in our parish met at a home, discussed a book and enjoyed some snacks (of course wine and chocolate, of course)!!!

This year, a group of us will hopefully do the same!

Find out what your parish is offering and vow to do one thing.  Perhaps, host a Scripture study, Rosary night or faith sharing group yourself!

Looking for more help this Lent?  Here ya go!!

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (Without Giving Up Sweets)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 1)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 2)

&
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1. Heaven is For Real for Kids

I loved the adult version of this book!  I look forward to sharing Colton’s story with my son!

2. Caleb’s Colt

My son picked this out of his school library.  I love the angle it takes to tell the story of Palm Sunday! He couldn’t sit through the whole book, but when he walked away I finished reading it myself!

3. Paddy and the Wolves: A Story about Saint Patrick

This is a new book about Saint Patrick!  It’s about a boy that can’t sit still during prayers!  I know one of those quite well!

4.  The Little Flower: A Parable of Saint Therese’

St. Therese’, as a young girl, wants to do things her big sisters and older people do in order to show how much they love God. Therese’ wants to do lots of things, but, unfortunately, she is just “not old enough”. Most children have had this desire and because of that they will immediately connect with the story. Read more about this book here: Beautiful Little Flowers: The Little Flower Book Review

5. Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World

So cute and a great reference book!

6. Why Am I Here?

This book was written by Matthew Kelly.  Since I can’t put down his book Resisting Happiness, and can’t help but recommend a child’s book by him as well!

7. A Child’s Book of the Mass

I have just recently been introduced to the Catechisis of the Good Shepherd and I am so interested in it! I am hoping to get my son enrolled in a class around our home next year.  One of the pioneers of the Catechisis of the Good Shepherd in the Philadelphia area wrote this book!  I bought it for our son and recommend it!

8. God’s Wisdom for Little Boys:Character Building Fun from the Proverbs

I love this new book – especially since it rhymes!  There is something about books that rhyme that catch my son’s attention more and have him wanting to hear it again and again!  There is also a volume for little girls: God’s Wisdom for Little Girls!

9. The Littlest Angel

Although this is a Christmas book, it is still a great story!

10. My First Taggies Book: Thank You Prayer

Babies.love.tags.

11.  Only God Can Make a Kitten

My friend and fellow blogger, Brittany (Everyday Thoughts) recommends this book.  She reviewed it and since then has given it as gift!

12. You Are Special

I have heard that everything by the author is great!

13.  God is Good All the Time

14. God Gave Us You

15.  The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith

A lovely fable recommended by a friend!

16.  How Big is God?

17.  The Clown of God

Another Christmas story, but highly recommended!

18. Pete Feet and Fish to Eat

This one was recommended by a friend and I am already loving it!

19. Hail Mary 

I love this board book!  Not only i it great for very young tots, but it is an awesome way to teach older children the Hail Mary!

20.  The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity

21. Saints on the Go

I keep meaning to order this for my son!

The post Prayer, Juice, and Skittles: Faith books for Littles appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Once we acknowledge the suffering is not something we can remove, we look for ways we can help.

We search for ways to be Simon who helped Jesus carry His cross.

We desire to make our friends’ crosses lighter.

Unfortunately, we probably all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.  We all know someone who is suffering in a way that makes us re-evaluate our own complaints.

Angela is a young mother.

Angela is the President of the Saint Gianna’s Mom’s Club and the Shrine Director of St. Gianna’s Shrine in Warminster, PA.

Angela was the first person who asked me to pray for Philomena.  Angela prays for her everyday.

As Shrine Director, Angela gets requests for prayers and relics  people who are very ill and suffering greatly almost every day.

Although she has a grateful heart and a positive outlook on life, she also has an incredibly empathetic heart.  Each request for prayers and for the Saint Gianna relics tug her heart strings.

Angela weeps with those who weep.

But Angela also has incredible faith in God.

Angela is 39 years old and has four young children.

Angela was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

She has asked me to ask all of you for prayers.

At first I placed her request in the Saint Gianna, Pray for us! group on Facebook.  When I posted the prayer request, a group of people commented that they would pray.  One woman, Mary, recalled meeting her at the Shrine, and shared how kind and comforting Angela was when she was sick and seeking Saint Ginna’s intercession.  Mary wrote:

I will be an 11 year BC survivor on St Gianna’s feast day – April 28. I entrusted my life to St Mama, as Gianna Emanuela calls her, and the results have exceeded my dreams. Angela was so gracious to me when my family arrived at the shrine on a pilgrimage from Wisconsin. The love she has shown on behalf of St Gianna is returning to her in abundance! We will pray for Angela and her family!

I sent Angela a screen shot of these comments and it made her so happy.  She asked if she could see more of the comments.

I thought, let’s give her more.

Many of you liked the article 39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (without giving up sweets) . . .One suggestion I make in that article (number 12) is to:

Send someone who is sick a card.  Write a prayer in that card too.

Will you send a sweet card to Angela?

It can be super short and sweet – but please include a prayer for her healing!

I know from another friend who battled and BEAT cancer, that cards and letters were appreciated.

Will you send a prayer, a kind word and some love to Angela?

Will you help her carry her cross?

I know your kindness will fill her heart with gratitude.

I’m sure she will then pray for you  . . . because that is what she does.

I am purposely NOT including a picture of Angela.

She is beautiful.

She has a friendly smile.

She has caring eyes.

She has hair that I am jealous of!

She is a woman and a friend that you would be friends with!

Will you take five minutes today to wish her well and ask the Lord to heal her?

Will you ask your child to color her a picture of Jesus, or an angel or a saint and mail it to her?

Are you a teacher?  Will you ask your students to make her a card and send them to her?

If your heart is moved to do so, please mail a card or letter to:

Our friend Angela

c/o The Saint Gianna Shrine at Nativity Church

625 West Street Road

Warminster, PA 18974

Not sure what to say?

Just write:

Dear Angela,

I heard you are battling cancer.  I want to send you some love and assure you that you are in my prayers!  The Lord is a great healer!  I pray He heals you soon and blesses you abundantly!

Love,

Your name

Under, maybe write a personal prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Please heal Angela.  Please help her recover quickly and have many, many years of good health ahead of her.

Thank you God for Your Love and healing touch!

Amen. 

The post Cards and Letters to Angela appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This article contains affiliate links.

I have been perusing DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith line for some time now.  I love that this company creates stickers, washi tape, pens, paint and die cut prompts specifically for Christians that Bible Journal.  Although I don’t journal in a Bible – I often write parts of Scripture inside my prayer journal.  As I scoured over the website at all of the products geared towards prayer, I thought of how much I could do with them in my own prayer life.

I was so excited when I received the Praise Book, Pens, Sticker and Clips Set to review!

Seriously – it felt like Christmas morning!  Since I had planned on doing more journaling for Lent, I decided to dedicate the Praise Book as my Lenten Journal.

At first, I was super excited about the stickers and die cut prompts, but a little skeptical about the binder.

Up until this point, my favorite prayer journal was the good ol’ fashioned Catholic school marble notebook (I’m sorry, Amazon calls these “composition books“).  I had recently tried a notepad that opens vertically, and decided that I would never go that route again.  So the binder – I wasn’t so sure about.

But, I dived right in.  Before even entering one prayer, I was so grateful for the inside pockets.  I often glue prayer cards to pages and write around them – so these pockets provided the perfect place to hold them.  I loved that the pockets were in the front and the back of the binder.

The next step I took to personalize the Praise Book and make it my own, was I wrote “Lenten Prayer Journal, 2017” on the first page.  I used one of the Illustrates Faith pens that came with the set.  I’m being totally honest here – I think I said out loud after I wrote:

Wow . . . these pens write nice!

Then like a dumb, dumb, I left the lid off of the one until the next day.  It was dry and I thought it was done forever.  Luckily the next day it worked better – but warning – put the cap back on the pen when you are finished using it!

I love the two pens included in this kit. Each one writes with a different thickness, so depending on what your preference is that day and how much you plan on writing, one of the two will be the perfect writing tool.

My prayer life was given a lift before I even started the official “Lent Journal”.  I loved how the prayer cards looked in the front pocket and how I decorated my title page so much – I had to stop and take a picture!

I mean really – I even posted it on Instagram!

My first entry was simple.  I copied a prayer I found that really spoke to me, and used a colored pencil to highlight some powerful sentences.  The next entry I was so excited to use one of the die-cut prompts.  On almost every page I found myself using the stickers to be an added fastener for prayer cards and prayers.

Then I showed my husband the clips.  These were new to me, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to implement them.  He picked them up and started saying “these are great, you can . . .” and he started describing ways they could be used!

Then, a few days into using the Praise Book Set, something awesome happened!

The extra features that were included in this set that were new to me, allowed my whole prayer experience to be brought to a new level.

The binder includes transparency dividers that you can write on and give one of your pages an added layer of creativity.  The first one I came across I took out and put in the back of the binder!  I had no idea what to do with it.

But one night when I was reading Resisting Happiness, the author, Matthew Kelly,  got me thinking about what my image of God is . . . He challenged the readers to really think about it and write down how we view God.  I thought this would be a great journal entry, so I did it.  When I was done writing, I looked at one of the cardstock sticker packs that were included in the set.  Almost every sticker was a title that described an “image of God”.  I took a transparency divider and put the titles over the words I had written.  I then used the clips to put actual images over what I wrote.  It was really quite a mediative and prayerful experience!

I am really enjoying using all the elements of this set.  I feel like I have tapped into some creativity that I did not realize I had inside or maybe the materials themselves have allowed me to be more open to the Lord’s inspiration.  Whatever the case, I am so grateful for this product!  Using it has given me even more ideas to share with you!  I am so excited!

And as for my pessimistic view of the binder . . . that went away the minute I realized I could take out a page I was working on and really get it to look exactly how I envisioned.  That mobility provided by the binder makes it another positive feature of the whole set.

I love using this set and I am truly happy with the quality and diversity of the materials included in it!  You can purchase your own Praise Book Set by clicking here: Praise Book, Pens, Stickers and Clip Set

Also, if you order today – the Illustrated Faith – Starter Kit is on sale – $15.00 off the normal price!!!  This sale is only on until Wednesday – so even if you win the giveaway, this starter set will enhance your experience with some different materials!

Would you like to win your own Praise Book, Pens, Stickers and Clips Set?  Enter below!!!  This contest ends on March

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Prayer Journaling with DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith Line [Review and Giveaway] appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

In the Part 1; 25 journal prompts were given to help you either jump start your prayer journaling or increase your time writing during the season of Lent.  I hope and pray you found the prompts inspiring and are excited to continue growing closer to Christ in this form of prayer!

This article contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support!

Here is a list of more journal prompts, as well as a printable for you to use throughout Lent!

1. 1.  Write a prayer in an acrostic style like this one: A Chocolate Prayer (Use any word you desire!  Need ideas?  Lent, Love, Fasting, Almsgiving, Faith . . .)
   2. Use Open Journey on Etsy to spark some creativity!

3. Cut out song lyrics that Praise the Lord.  Play the song using youtube while you glue the lyrics to a page.  Draw music notes around the page and write what you feel inspired to write around the lyrics or under them.  One of my favorite songs is by MercyMe . .                                                                4. Dedicate a page for holy cards by gluing an envelope (or two) to the page.  Glue the front of the envelope so that the side that faces you opens and you can keep holy cards in that envelope.  Katie at Look to Him be Radiant had this idea too.  Check out this page to see what it looks like and get a ton of more fun ideas!!! Look to Him and Be Radiant Smash Journal Ideas

5. Write out the Act of Contrition.  Really pray it with your whole heart.

6. Ask the Lord to fill you with the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  Color a Fruits of the Spirit page and glue it under your prayer.  You can find the one below on my Pinterest board: Prayer Journal Ideas Pinterest Board                        

7. Write a quote attributed to a Saint that really inspires you.  Decorate the page.

8. Dollar Store page!  Go to the dollar store and find some inspiration – a religious greeting card, stickers, a faith book . . . find something that you feel attracted to and decorate the page around that piece!

9.  Dedicate a page for the Serenity Prayer.

10. Write a prayer to Our Eternal Father asking Him to bless, heal and help people in your life who are struggling or who you feel are in great need of prayers.

11. Choose a Fatima Prayer.  Copy the prayer and find an Fatima image to color or holy image to paste on the page (or a picture of a Rosary).

12.  Cut out a prayer from a faith devotional or magazine.  Copy the prayer and decorate the page.                 

13.  Take a picture of your church, a statue, stained glass window, or religious art hung up in your parish.  Print out the picture and write what made you choose that image.  What about that image moves your heart towards God?

14.  Praise the Lord for all He has created and all that He has done out of love for you.  Do this in a letter, a poem with pictures or any way you feel compelled to acknowledge His Glory and Love for you and all of humanity.

15. Write out the Prayer of Saint Francis (aka the Universal Prayer for Peace). Pray for peace in our world, nation as well as your family, home and community.

Would you like a free printable?

Click here: Prayer Wine Chocolate Lenten Journal Prompts

Wondering when to journal?  Check out: When DO Real Women Find Time To Journal?

Need more inspiration?  Check out this find! Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter

I hope to give you encouragement throughout Lent!  Check out my Facebook page: Prayer Wine Chocolate and my Youtube channel Amy Brooks on Youtube for upcoming videos!!

Share some pictures of your journal entries on social media with the hashtag #prayerwinechocolate #PrayerJournal

May the Lord bless you this Lent and always!

Love, 

Amy

Want more?  Here is an eBook of 40 MORE JOURNAL PROMPTS!

The post 40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (part 2) {Includes a Free Printable} appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.