Free Resources for a Challenging Lent Experience

Caution: This post is only for those who really want to challenge themselves spiritually during this upcoming Lent.

We all have our ways of observing Lent. For some it is a deeper prayer life, perhaps a rosary a day, an extra Mass during the week, or an hour of adoration each week. For others it my be more stringent sacrifices in the area of food, electronics, or behavior.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding way to dive deeper into Lent this year, I’d like to suggest going deeper into the daily readings. Lenten readings are extremely rich and powerful and can have a profound effect on our spiritual life. Setting aside time to really dig into the readings each day during Lent will change your spiritual ife.

To this end I want to offer you the opportunity use my book the 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations to dive deeper into those readings. I’m not going to ask for your email or that you buy anything. It’s all free. There is a paperback journal version you can buy but I want everything to be available to you for free to help you grow closer to God.

So, here’s my suggestions:

1. Download a free PDF copy of the 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations. Trust me, it’s a quick, easy read. If you don’t want to download and print the PDF, you can read the entire book here online.
2. Download the free 4 Simple Steps Work Sheet. You can either download and make copies for the entirety of Lent or use it as a template and simply write your thoughts and meditations in a notebook.
3. Get the daily readings – USCCB, Magnificat, or other App.
4. Read through the book and follow the 4 Steps each day during Lent and see how your prayer life changes. It’s that simple and it’s only 3 downloads. 

I also offer the 4 Simple Steps in a Book/Workbook/Journal format on Amazon.

Here’s some other Lenten Reading material that you may find beneficial.

Have a great Lent!

Jim Hahn

How to get better at prayer.

1. Set a prayer appointment – Set a time on your calendar each day to meet and speak with God.
2. Slowly increase your prayer time. – Don’t jump in with an hour right from the get-go.  Build up your “tolerance” so to speak.
3. Commit – to praying and slowly increasing your prayer time for 30 days.  Mark off the days on your calendar.  If you miss a day, jump right back in, don’t give up.
4. Pray – praying is talking to God, it’s spending time with your attention focused on Him.  I enjoy spending time with my children regardless of their level of development.  God is the same way.  Spend time praying as best you can.  Use formal prayers if you want or simply speak in conversation.  Don’t forget to listen
5. Journal – Our newly revised 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Guide, Workbook, and Journal walks you through 4 easy steps that will help you go deeper in your prayer life.  It includes 31 days of workbook and journal pages too!
6. Read other good books about how to pray better – Prayer Primer, Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, Time for God, The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Catholics Seeking Salvation.