A prayer for humility
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Pride is considered by many to be the worst, the deadliest, of the 7 deadly sins because it’s a gateway to all other sins. By pride, we don’t mean when one is proud of someone like our child or spouse or proud of the achievements of our favorite sports team. The sin of pride is when we see ourselves as superior to other human beings and even to God. When we fall into the sin of pride we are focused on ourselves and our needs and not only do we not care about the needs of others, we want to use others to satisfy our needs. This arrogance can also apply to our relationship with God. We are so convinced of our prowess that we try to solve all problems, make all decisions, and embark on projects, all on our own accord without asking God for help and trying to discern God’s will and direction for us. To an extreme, we may behave as if we don’t need God and as if we are above God. We make ourselves like a god. And if that’s our thinking, why fear the judgment of God? Then it’s easy to commit all kinds of terrible sins.
The antidote to pride is the virtue of humility. It helps us to always walk in the presence of God, or as the title of this blog, to “Walk humbly with God.” The virtue of humility helps us understand that all of who we are, all that we can achieve and create, comes from God and should be performed for the glory of God. We are nothing but earthen vessels for God to work through us.
This prayer is a litany. A litany is often a prayer of supplication and most of the time it is prayed in a congregation in a call-and-response pattern, such as with the leader saying “From the desire of being esteemed” and the people answering “Deliver me, Jesus.” But litanies can also be prayed individually, and the rhythm helps us meditate and surrender to God’s presence.
A Christian Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Amen
- Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val
May God bless you and your family
