Three resolutions for Lent:

• Read the Bible regularly, with the help of Bible notes. The Bible is not a magic book with automatic answers to your problems, but by reading regularly you come to be more in touch with God's way of looking at things - and with his help this will help you to see new ways to answer the problems you face.

• Look at your life realistically and with humility, and face the fact that you are a sinner - but also remember that if you are willing to admit the things you have done wrong in your life and are sorry for them, then God offers you forgiveness and a new start. The Church is not a made up of super-good people, it is a group of repentant and forgiven sinners.

• Listen to God : don't just talk at him, be prepared to wait for him to talk to you. Go for a walk in his presence, sit and relax in his presence, listen to music in his presence, think things over in his presence. Don't be in a hurry to impose your own answer : wait for it to emerge from spending time with God.