Litany of Humility

Confession: I am a people pleaser. I am highly sensitive to criticism. I want to be everyone’s friend, and I think everyone should want to be my friend (who wouldn’t?).

Confession: My love language is “words of affirmation.” I like to hear appreciation and gratitude directed my way. I love serving people, but I love it more when they actually tell me that they appreciate it.

Confession: My personal background makes me more susceptible to feeling inadequate, unwanted, forgotten, and unloved. I have a deep longing to belong and to be “home.” I can seek that affirmation from others or feel deep sadness and rejection when that need isn’t met by others. It is hard for me to defeat the lies of Satan in my life in this area.

Confession: Daily, I need the love of Christ and the truth of His Word to sustain me as he heals me from the inside out. I need his deliverance. His daily deliverance in my life, in my heart, in my mind, and in my relationships.

Maybe that’s why the words of this “Litany of Humility” are so powerful and moving to me:

The Litany of Humility

Lord 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 to others, 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 be preferred to me in everything, 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.

May God fill the desire in my heart to be loved, known, and understood fully up with himself and his grace and mercy. May God forgive me for seeking my belonging and worth in other people and in other things or accomplishments. May God help me to desire faithfulness to Him above the approval of others. May God pour out his daily grace on me and deliver me from the idol of being esteemed, honored, or remembered for my works. Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!

Audrey Assad composed a song based on this Litany. It is beautiful! You can listen to it here: