Litany of Self-Love (for Youth)

This litany is adapted from The Face of Mercy’s litany of self-love. In praying the original litany with students, I found myself wanting to rework several of the lines so they would speak more directly to the pressures and struggles young people face today.

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From lies about who I am

From doubting that You really love me,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From believing something is wrong with me,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From hating my body or the way I look,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From believing I’m a burden or disappointment,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the lie that my worth depends on grades, success, or approval,

Deliver me, Jesus.

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From pressure and expectations

From the pressure to have it all together,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the need to be perfect,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From comparing my life to everyone else’s,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From the voice in my head that tells me I’m not enough,

Deliver me, Jesus.

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From neglecting myself

From pushing myself without rest,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From ignoring my need for sleep, food, or care,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From being hard on myself instead of kind,

Deliver me, Jesus.

From hurting myself—physically, emotionally, or spiritually,

Deliver me, Jesus.

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In moments when life feels heavy

When I feel alone,

Be with me, Jesus.

When I want to hide,

Be with me, Jesus.

When I feel numb or empty inside,

Be with me, Jesus.

When I’m stuck in negative thoughts about myself,

Be with me, Jesus.

When I cope in unhealthy ways,

Be with me, Jesus.

When I don’t know how to take care of myself,

Be with me, Jesus.

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Speaking the truth

That I am Your beloved son/daughter,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That I am not a mistake,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That I was created good,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That You delight in me just as I am,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That You want my happiness and my healing,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That I am worthy of rest,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That I am worthy of care, kindness, and love,

Jesus, I trust in You.

That You teach me how to love myself the way You love me,

Jesus, I trust in You.