Some prayers I love Part 1

An unknown Catholic monk prayed these words centuries ago. I got them from George Verwer’s book, Hunger for Reality. I wrote an adaptation of it and began to pray it for myself.

It didn’t take long before I realized I didn’t understand the depth of what I was really asking God to do in me.

This is the prayer:

My Lord Jesus Christ, Deliver me Lord Jesus;

From the desire to be loved by people, From the desire to be extolled,

From the desire to be honored, From the desire to be praised,

From the desire to be preferred to others, From the desire to be consulted,

From the desire to be approved, From the fear of being hurt by people,

From the fear of being humiliated, From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebuke, From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being suspected;

Dear Lord, grant me the grace to desire; that others may be loved more than me,

That in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside, That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be esteemed more than I, That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I, provided I, become as holy as you want me.

Lord, expose my selfish desires and my unwillingness to die to the flesh.

May the secret sin(s) that could damn my soul be exposed publicly before it/they destroy me.

Above all Lord, may I never prosper in any quest in life that remotely offends you.

Lord, frustrate my work and ways which are contrary to your purpose for creating me.

My Lord Jesus, may my walk with you and work for you be sweeter and fresher as I grow older.

May many lost souls embrace you because I obey you.

May I see your signature of approval on all my labours here, when all is done.

Which line in these prayers do you disagree with? Which one challenges you the most?

Since I started praying these words, I’ve been awakened to the reality of a great enemy called pride. The lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh are quick to notice, confess and repent of, but not pride.

 Isn’t the pride of life the most insidious of all sins? The rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, the wise and the simple and indeed, all manner of men are snared by this subtle enemy of our souls.

Why do we fail to confess it? Is it because it stealthily weaves itself into our character when we embrace its terrible disposition to life?

Please pray with me…

Unknown's avatar

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda.

6 thoughts on “Some prayers I love Part 1” 

  1.             Wao!  this is all that could escape from my spirit reading this the first time. It sure is not one of those things one glosses over and jump out with an opinion. Somethings are too sacred for frivolous comments. My first reaction going through it was fear. Am I really ready for the death of OLIVER that Christ may live in me? for the answer to that prayer will kill him. It became obvious that I love Oliver too much that I don't really want him to die. With trepidation and the least of faith i can muster, I bow to say work in me Lord, you are the porter and I am the clay.

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  3.             Blessings to you and the family, I was brought to happy tears to be included in the love of Christ with you and yours.  send me the info on the orphans and the conference.  It would be an honor to spend my next birthday with you and the family....May God continue to bless you and give me the left overs,,,,they are so sweet!

    Just as we get older, the love that is rained down on us gets sweeter as we embrace the love of the Pappa! Rock on with love my dear brother, sister, and family!

    Patti from ground zero

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  5. Uche, while reading this, I was feeled with fear. The prayer covers all facets of life. I like the part “That others may become holier than I, provided I, become as holy as you want me”. Awesome words. May the Lord take away this thing called Pride from all my endeavours.

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  6.             Uche its a bitter prayer to sow or swallow in nature, But its fruits are damn sweet am very sure.

    Oh think of the pain it may inflict on you, but can not be compared to the GLORY THERE AFTER!
    I like every line, it sounds like a dream, like an imagination but its REAL.
    I will swallow the bitter pill, I will sow that seed for myself,I shall say that prayer for myself from today.
    SO HELP ME GOD!

    Thanks UCHE
    Blessings.

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