Hold on the following inspiring quotes as you go through the Lenten period.
Christians all over the world have embarked on Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
During this time, abstinence, prayer, fasting, meditation, almsgiving, repentance is done in preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
Pulse Religion offers 12 powerful quotes to keep you motivated during this important period of preparation and cleansing.
On True Purpose of Lent
“Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way, we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.” — Pope Benedict XVI
“Remember that lent and ash Wednesday is not just about putting away the bad things. It is about creating good things and helping the poor and the needy, being kind to people and much more.” — Jacob Winters
“You cannot be proud and expect to be transformed away from your sins. You need to humble yourself and have a spirit of repentance within you. Then you will see real change.” — Mable Vine
During these 40 days, let me put away all my pride. Let me change my heart and give up all that is not good within me. Let me love God with all that I am and all that I have.” — Genesis Grain
“Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain to perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love — which is the definition of God. In pursuing that goal we find happiness. Pleasure is not the purpose of anything; pleasure is a by-product resulting from doing something that is good. One of the best ways to get happiness and pleasure out of life is to ask ourselves, ‘How can I please God?’ and, ‘Why am I not better?’ It is the pleasure-seeker who is bored, for all pleasures diminish with repetition.” — Fulton J. Sheen
"Lent is a time to renew wherever we are in that process that I call the divine therapy. It's a time to look what our instinctual needs are, look at what the dynamics of our unconscious are." — Thomas Keating
"When you get a hankering to talk or complain about what you gave up for Lent, replace that hankering by speaking the word of God. For all the times you would have done the activity that you gave up for Lent, replace it by reading the word of God. Christians should always be drawing closer to God." — Monica Johnson
ALSO READ: 10 great Pope Francis quotes to live by
On Prayer
“Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God.” — Chuck Smith
“Even Jesus who is the Lord of Lords and the king of kings fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. How much more we need to do the same with all our sinfulness and baggage’s.” — Tamara Lane
On Fasting
“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.” — St. Peter Chrysologus
”Fasting and almsgiving are ‘the two wings of prayer’ which enable it to gain momentum and more easily reach even to God.” St Augustine
On Forgiveness
“God’s face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience he has with each one of us? That is his mercy. He always has patience, patience with us; he understands us, he waits for us, he does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to him with a contrite heart.” Pope Francis (Angelus Address, Marcy 17, 2013)