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Lent 2025 is upon us, begining on Wednesday March 5 (Ash Wednesday) and coninuing until Saturday April 19 (Holy Saturday). 

Lent, in the Anglican tradition, is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal—a sacred journey of forty days mirroring Christ’s time in the wilderness. It is not merely a time of giving things up but of taking on practices that draw us closer to God. One powerful way to observe Lent is by crafting a Rule of Life, a structured yet flexible framework for spiritual growth. Rooted in the wisdom of monastic traditions, a Rule of Life helps us cultivate habits of prayer, study, service, and self-discipline, shaping our daily rhythms around God’s presence. Rather than a rigid set of rules, it is a guide that aligns our lives with Christ’s call to love God and neighbor. In this season of self-examination, a Rule of Life can help us deepen our faith, not just for Lent but as a foundation for lifelong discipleship.

To that end I am offering you the following Lenten Rule of Life for Lent 2025.

Lenten Rule of Life: Desiring God

A Guide for Fasting, Confession, and Self-Denial

Introduction:

Lent is a time to train the soul—like an athlete preparing for a great contest. A Rule of Life provides structure to help you engage in fasting, prayer, confession, and self-denial with intention. This guide will help you shape a personal rule that is both challenging and sustainable.

1. Daily Practices

Morning Prayer (10–15 minutes)

  • Begin each day with Scripture, silence, and the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
  • Read the appointed Gospel passage for the day (from the Lectionary).
  • Commit to one concrete act of self-denial for the day (e.g., no social media before noon, walking instead of driving, giving up an unnecessary purchase).

Fasting (One Meal or Specific Foods)

  • Choose a fasting discipline appropriate to your health and situation:
  • Beginner: Abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • Intermediate: Skip one meal per day or eat simpler meals.
  • Advanced: Traditional Orthodox Lenten fast (no meat, dairy, alcohol, or oil on fast days).
  • Offer your hunger as a spiritual discipline—when hunger strikes, turn to prayer instead of food.

Examination of Conscience (5 minutes before bed)

  • Review your day:
  • How did I seek God today?
  • Where did I fail to love?
  • What temptation was strongest?
  • End with a short confession: “Lord, I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy on me.”

2. Weekly Practices

Confession (Once During Lent, or Weekly Reflection)

  • Prepare for sacramental confession using an examination of conscience (Anglican or Orthodox).
  • If sacramental confession is not possible, write down your sins, confess them in prayer, and burn the paper as an offering.
  • Service and Almsgiving (1 Act Per Week)
  • Choose one way to give of yourself each week:
  • Donate time (volunteer work).
  • Donate resources (giving to a person in need).
  • Fast from a luxury and donate the savings.

Sunday Worship: A Renewal of Strength

  • Treat Sundays as a mini-Easter, celebrating Christ’s victory.
  • If you have broken your fast, begin again without shame.

3. Special Practices for Spiritual Growth

The Jesus Prayer (Silent Prayer Throughout the Day)

  • Use a prayer rope (komboskini) and repeat the Jesus Prayer slowly.
  • Breathe in on “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God” and out on “have mercy on me, a sinner.”
  • Set a goal: 33, 50, or 100 repetitions daily.

Scripture and Spiritual Reading (20 minutes daily or 1 chapter per night)

Suggested books:

  • The Way of a Pilgrim (on the Jesus Prayer).
  • The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus (select chapters).
  • The Rule of St. Benedict (for structure in daily life).

Silence and Solitude (One Hour Per Week, Optional Retreat Day in Holy Week)

  • Set aside one hour weekly to be silent—no distractions, no screens, just prayerful stillness.

4. Holy Week: Preparing for the Cross

  • Monday–Wednesday: Attend services, deepen fasting, and reflect on Christ’s Passion.
  • Maundy Thursday: Participate in foot-washing or serve others in humility.
  • Good Friday: Observe a strict fast (if possible) and spend time in prayer.
  • Holy Saturday: Enter the stillness before Easter, waiting for the Resurrection.

Final Commitment:

Choose three pillars of your Lenten Rule:

  1. Prayer Discipline: What will I commit to daily?
  2. Fasting Discipline: What will I give up, and how will I offer it to God?
  3. Service Discipline: How will I give of myself to others?

Write them down, review them weekly, and begin again whenever you falter.