Day 1
Saving Grace: (30 Seconds) If you accept the challenge of becoming a saint, the enemy will attack you. Ask for help and protection. Get used to this prayer. You will say it often in the next 40 days. By the end, it should always be on the tip of your tongue:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
Athletics: (60 seconds) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days. Today, reflect on how you will need the following virtues to accomplish this challenge.
Self discipline: Gain custody of yourself. You can't give what you don't have.
Perseverance: Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
Obedience: This challenge is meant to coach you toward sanctity. Christ is our coach. Listen to him and his bride. Trust.
Repetition: Many of these challenges you will do more than once. Repetition is key. We love what we know.
Teamwork: I strongly suggest you find an accountability partner and do this challenge together. We are a team.
Sportsmanship: There will be good days and bad. Don't get too high after a win. Don't get too low after a loss. Just push on.
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Each Day, God sends a memo to his people. There are over a billion Catholics on the planet, all focused on the same scripture verses...powerful. Don't miss the memo. Click on this link for todays readings. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings Remember, God is speaking to you, and about you.
NEED TO KNOW HIM: (60 minutes) Today is a holy day of opportunity. Go to Mass today and receive ashes to remind you of your mortality in this life and receive the King of Kings to remind you of everlasting life. Before mass, say this prayer. "Lord, show me one way I can become a better version of myself." Listen for the answer. Write it down. (If you would like a Mass journal, click here.) God speaks if you are willing to listen.
Theology of the Body: (30 seconds) God is Love and we are made in His image. To image God, you must image Love. To image love, you must know what love is. The following meditation is powerful and will transform you if you do it often. Simply Read the following famous scripture passage about love, but instead of using the word Love, replace it with your name. So for example when I read this passage, it will sound like this....
"John is patient; John is kind; John is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. John does not insist on his own way; John is not irritable or resentful; John does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. John bears all things, John believes all things, John hopes all things, John endures all things. John never ends. " (From 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
If you are like me, this sounds awkward. That just shows how much we need to change. What we think becomes. Think about this being true today and each day. Eventually it will be true.
Sacrifice and Service: (10 seconds) Say this simple prayer: "Lord, I offer up the sacrifices and sufferings of this day for......" Pick any soul...lost sheep, family, friends, enemies, strangers, souls in purgatory...anybody. When you get busy and
distracted just remember, other souls are counting on you. You have the power to help get souls to heaven....don't waste it. You may offer up your days for whomever you please, however, I strongly encourage you to offer up each day of this challenge for "disengaged Catholics" or "lost sheep". Let's bring them home.
Saving Grace: (30 Seconds) If you accept the challenge of becoming a saint, the enemy will attack you. Ask for help and protection. Get used to this prayer. You will say it often in the next 40 days. By the end, it should always be on the tip of your tongue:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
Athletics: (60 seconds) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days. Today, reflect on how you will need the following virtues to accomplish this challenge.
Self discipline: Gain custody of yourself. You can't give what you don't have.
Perseverance: Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
Obedience: This challenge is meant to coach you toward sanctity. Christ is our coach. Listen to him and his bride. Trust.
Repetition: Many of these challenges you will do more than once. Repetition is key. We love what we know.
Teamwork: I strongly suggest you find an accountability partner and do this challenge together. We are a team.
Sportsmanship: There will be good days and bad. Don't get too high after a win. Don't get too low after a loss. Just push on.
Instructor's Manual: (5 minutes) Each Day, God sends a memo to his people. There are over a billion Catholics on the planet, all focused on the same scripture verses...powerful. Don't miss the memo. Click on this link for todays readings. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings Remember, God is speaking to you, and about you.
NEED TO KNOW HIM: (60 minutes) Today is a holy day of opportunity. Go to Mass today and receive ashes to remind you of your mortality in this life and receive the King of Kings to remind you of everlasting life. Before mass, say this prayer. "Lord, show me one way I can become a better version of myself." Listen for the answer. Write it down. (If you would like a Mass journal, click here.) God speaks if you are willing to listen.
Theology of the Body: (30 seconds) God is Love and we are made in His image. To image God, you must image Love. To image love, you must know what love is. The following meditation is powerful and will transform you if you do it often. Simply Read the following famous scripture passage about love, but instead of using the word Love, replace it with your name. So for example when I read this passage, it will sound like this....
"John is patient; John is kind; John is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. John does not insist on his own way; John is not irritable or resentful; John does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. John bears all things, John believes all things, John hopes all things, John endures all things. John never ends. " (From 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
If you are like me, this sounds awkward. That just shows how much we need to change. What we think becomes. Think about this being true today and each day. Eventually it will be true.
Sacrifice and Service: (10 seconds) Say this simple prayer: "Lord, I offer up the sacrifices and sufferings of this day for......" Pick any soul...lost sheep, family, friends, enemies, strangers, souls in purgatory...anybody. When you get busy and
distracted just remember, other souls are counting on you. You have the power to help get souls to heaven....don't waste it. You may offer up your days for whomever you please, however, I strongly encourage you to offer up each day of this challenge for "disengaged Catholics" or "lost sheep". Let's bring them home.
