| A CHECKLIST FOR GREAT LENT From Rev. Dr. Mathew C. Chacko Check as many as apply under each topic. You should (but need not) answer every topic. This is a matter of your own conscience and your desire to grow spiritually. It is for you to have some spiritual goals. 1. Concerning my prayer life, each day I will commit to: _____One 5- minute period of un-interrupted prayer _____One five minute period every morning of un-interrupted prayer _____One five minute period every evening of un-interrupted prayer _____One five minute period each morning AND evening of un-interrupted prayer _____Other: Write in here 2. Concerning Worship during Great Lent: _____I’ll commit to attending Divine Liturgy each Sunday _____I’ll commit to attending ONE additional service each week during each week of Lent _____I’ll commit to preparing and receiving Holy Communion at least once a week during Lent. 3. Concerning Holy Week, I’ll commit to: _____Every Service _____Every Evening Service _____One service each Day _____Specifically Holy Thursday through to the Resurrection of Christ _____Other (write in here) 4. Concerning Fasting, I’ll commit to: ____Level One: Fast from meat on Wednesday and Fridays and during Holy Week ____Level Two: Fast from meat and fish on Wednesdays and Friday and during Holy Week ____Level Three: Fast from meat the entirety of Lent and Holy Week ____Level Four: Fast from meat and fish the entirety of Lent and Holy Week ____Level Five: Level Four plus no dairy products during Holy Week. ____Level Six: Level Four plus no dairy products on Wednesdays and Fridays and during Holy Week ____Level Seven: Level Four plus no dairy products during all of Lent and Holy Week ____Level Eight: Level Seven plus eliminate oil and wine during Holy Week ____Level Nine: The Strict Fast-no meat, fish, dairy products, wine or oil during the entirety of Lent ____I can’t fast from food for health reasons. I will do the following instead: (Write answer here) 5. Concerning reading the Bible, I’ll commit to: _____Reading one chapter a day from some book of the Bible _____Reading the daily readings on the Church Calendar _____Reading the four Gospels _____Reading the Psalms _____Other (Write in) 5. Concerning confession, ____I’ll commit to going once during this Lenten period ____I’ve been recently to confession and don’t feel the need to go at this time. ____I’ll get more information on this sacrament and then make a decision. 6. 6. Concerning bad habits, here are one or two or a few bad habits do my best to change this Lent ____Gossip ____Self-aggrandizement ____Impatience ____Greed ____Lust ____Disobedience ____Wasting time ____Self-pitying ____Not giving good effort at work/school/marriage/children ____Others: Write in here 7. One spiritual goal I want to commit to once Holy Pascha has passed is: Lord, help me to be successful in this task I am about to undertake. May it be for the growth of my soul and the improvement of my spiritual life. Help me to keep all these commitments I have made. May I grow closer to You this Lent and through this covenant I am making with You. Amen. After you’ve filled out your covenant, place it somewhere you’ll see it and on Monday, begin fulfilling your covenant as we begin the Great Lent. A blessed Great Lent to you… ~Mathew Achen |