As you prepare to use this prayer, note it is often not the thing itself that is wrong, but an unhealthy or a grasping desire for it. For example, if you receive praise or honor – that can be a wonderful thing. But intentionally seeking praise and honor for their own sake is a joy killing sign of a prideful heart. The recurring theme of the scriptures is this – “Pursue the virtue of humility.” Similarly, we need to be delivered from our fears. For example, it is, of course, painful when we are criticized, but fear of being criticized can cause us to avoid taking the action we really should take. Part of true humility is seeking to be controlled by neither desires or fears – but only by God’s love.

Simply pray this prayer slowly out loud, pausing after each phrase to commit that issue to God. Normally one or two phrases will stick out to you. Stop there and spend time in conversation with the Lord about that issue. Then end your time with the final prayer at the end – “O God, grant me…”

The Humility Prayer

From the desire of being praised,      deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored,      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 desire for comfort and ease,   deliver me, Jesus.

 

From the fear of being criticized,   deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being passed over,   deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten,   deliver me, Jesus.

 

From the fear of being lonely,      deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being hurt,      deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering,      deliver me, Jesus.

O God, grant me the grace
to humble myself
under your mighty hand today,
and to clothe myself with humility
toward all I meet.

Amen.

This exercise was adapted by Langdon Palmer from the work of Neil Babcox