Pray with Us: The Litany of Trust

By Amanda MacMurtrie

For our prayer today, we are blessed to pair the Litany of Trust by the Sisters of Life with Kate’s art where Christ meeting Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb.

The good news: We are the Easter People! The better news: Jesus meets us wherever we are, both in our joy and in our sorrow. Yes, we are called to authentic joy and to witness the truth of the Resurrection. But that doesn’t mean we’ll never doubt His provision or get lost in confusion. We can forget that He rose from the grave and brought us new life. And yet, when He sees us falter, He gazes with love and reaches out a hand to catch us.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” – John 20: 15

These are the words of Jesus to Mary Magdalene as she weeps outside the empty tomb. Since the early dark of the morning, Mary has seen the empty tomb, run back to tell the other disciples, and run back to the tomb with them. After Peter and John return home, not yet understanding, Mary stays behind and weeps. The Scripture says she was “bent over the tomb” in her grief.

When Jesus finds her there, he sees her in all her human confusion and emotion. He receives her where she is and listens to her when she mistakes him as the gardener. He knows her and he loves her in his reply: why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?

Note how tender His questions; He is showing just how worthy of trust He is.

Christ is present in our weeping. Our Lord knows where we struggle – that’s where He loves us most tenderly. As you pray these words of trust, know that Christ is looking at you just as He gazes with love at Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb.

The Litany of Trust

by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, Sister of Life

From the belief that I have to earn Your love… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that I am unlovable… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the false security that I have what it takes… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear that trusting you will leave me more destitute… Deliver me, Jesus.

From all suspicion of your words and promises… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You… Deliver me, Jesus.

From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will… Deliver me, Jesus.

From anxiety about the future... Deliver me, Jesus.

From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past… Deliver me, Jesus.

From restless self-seeking in the present moment… Deliver me, Jesus.

From disbelief in Your love and presence… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being asked to give more than I have… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth… Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of what love demands… Deliver me, Jesus.

From discouragement… Deliver me, Jesus.

That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me… Jesus, I trust in You.

That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings and transforms me… Jesus, I trust in You.

That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You are with me in my suffering… Jesus, I trust in You.

That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church… Jesus, I trust in You.

That Your plan is better than anything else… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked… Jesus, I trust in You.

That my life is a gift… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You will teach me to trust You… Jesus, I trust in You.

That You are my Lord and my God… Jesus, I trust in You.

That I am Your beloved one… Jesus, I trust in You.

Amen.

Litany of Trust shared with Permission by the Sisters of Life – learn more about their mission at sistersoflife.org.

Were you blessed by this experience of prayer?

Consider bringing a print of Face to Face into your home to continue drawing closer to His tender heart.

On the blog, for further prayer:

Have you ever prayed alongside art before? If you got a lot out of this prayer experience, check out our previous posts where we pair sacred art with powerful prayers: Act of Consecration to the Holy Family and the Surrender Novena. Or, learn more about the practice of praying alongside sacred art with this guest post on why it belongs in your home.

Amanda MacMurtrie is an Art Therapist. She supports mental health and healing through creative expression and art media. As a writer and artist, Amanda explores what art-making has to teach us. She has a special love for collaborative art, mixing metaphors, and St. Joseph.