Litany of Self-Esteem

By Katie Sommers

Every single day, I am bombarded with lies that I am not enough. These lies come in many different forms. Although they can often appear out of nowhere, they also can pop up from comparison, gossip, jealousy, etc.

Maybe I feel left out by friends or peers and hear in the back of my mind, “They don’t like you—you’ll never be loved and accepted.”

Or maybe I’m running on the track and someone passes me and I think, “I’m too slow; I’m not a worthy runner.”

Or maybe I notice that I haven’t been asked out in a while, and I am taunted with the lie, “Something must be wrong with me… no one will ever want to date me.” Each lie that I am fed is a twisted version of the truth.

In order to combat these lies, I fill my mind with truths. When doubting my self-worth, I like to remind myself of these truths in form of prayer. Below, I have shared a prayer I wrote, so that those of you who share in my struggle of low self-esteem can call upon Jesus to help you believe in your inherent worth and goodness as a beloved daughter or son of the Father.

The Litany of Self-Esteem:

From the desire of being liked and admired… deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being popular… deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of having a good reputation… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that I need to fit in… deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of looking foolish… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that I am not enough… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that I am not attractive enough… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that I am not smart enough… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my identity lies within my intelligence… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my identity lies within my appearance… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my identity lies within my weight… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my identity lies within how well I am liked… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that I am too far gone… deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that no one could ever like me… deliver me, Jesus.

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That my identity lies in the truth that I am a beloved child of God… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I am a beautiful masterpiece made in God’s image… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I am called to a holy life… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That You are within me and I will not fall… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That You will give me the desires of my heart… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That You will be with me and will never leave me… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I was made for sainthood… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I am the light of the world… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That I was made to praise You with my body and spirit… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That You want me to be happy in paradise forever with the angels and saints… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

That You have the power to transform my flawed thoughts and actions into a greater good… Jesus, grant me the courage to believe it.

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I recommend praying this whenever these kinds of negative thoughts feel especially invasive and convincing. Or even feel free to meditate daily upon these truths, in order to ingrain them into the depths of your heart.