Self-denial

So the first thing in Lent which we have to do is to deal with our lower self so that we have it under our thumb instead of our being under its thumb.  In order, therefore, to weaken our lower self and to strengthen the will power of our higher self, we deliberately do without things which we like.  For example, we can do without such things as sweets and chocolates or the cinema, and put the money we save into a Lent box and give the money to a charity.  We can go to bed early and get up at a fixed time by the clock.  Besides that, we should be very much on the alert to pounce on all angry or nasty thoughts as soon as they come into our minds.  All of this is called self-denial, that is, saying ‘No’ to oneself, and it is just as important for our souls as training rules are for an athlete.

This is what St Paul says about it, “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win it.  Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one.  So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it…” (NRSV, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Rule of prayer

Besides self-denial, we should also have a rule about our prayers and, if we are communicants, about our Communions.  As an athlete practises running, so we must practise the things which keep us close to God.  First, we should be particularly careful to say our morning and evening prayers well every day.  At the Sunday Eucharist we should make a real offering of ourselves to God along with our offering of Our Blessed Lord. If we are communicants we should try to make our Communions more often during Lent, and to give special care to our preparation beforehand and to our thanksgiving afterwards.  We should also go to the special services in Lent which are held during the week.