Dangerous Prayers (#1)

I came across this prayer as I was studying for lent and it sat heavy on me. It's one of those dangerous prayers. A prayer that is almost too real, too honest, too bold. It reminds me of the words of the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures, how they were always saying things people had a hard time hearing how they were at times seen as crazy by what they said and how they would at times go over the top to make a point and make sure the point was understood by their audience.

So what if this prayer shares some of those similarities? What if its something we need to hear but its hard to receive? Its so over the top and even feels a bit exaggerated in its request, surely the author of this prayer did not mean all that he said, did he?

My answer: maybe he did maybe he didn't but regardless there are some real nuggets of truth here; the humility in this prayer is unspeakable in its raw beauty. the humility in this prayer at times almost boarders on extreme self depreciation and in that is remarkably counter cultural and obviously must be balanced with the truth that we are created Imago Dei and God desires good for us ect ect ... BUT in our culture and our time and our life's where perhaps humility is not as highly regarded as success let us sink our teeth into the humility of this prayer and may that humility be present in my life and yours. Ah, to further reflect the humble heart of love in Christ...


think about it:


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 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.
Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)