On Tuesday I went to my Holy Hour all by myself. It was almost painfully quiet as I missed the shifting of wiggly bodies, constant dropping of pencils, and even (I’m shocked to admit!) the allergy sniffing of the kiddos. My adoration buddy wasn’t able to attend that day, so I really was all alone!
My kids all headed off to “real” school this year, after 7 years of homeschooling and Tuesday was their first day back. It’s been very bitter-sweet!
I began to write my prayer to Jesus in the silence of the dark church. The words spilled out of my heart and onto the paper as I talked to Him about the dishes in my sink, shoes and dirt in the entryway, and the toothpaste stains in the bathroom sink.
By the end of my lamentation, I was able to give God praise for His many blessings in my life and the beautiful children He has entrusted me to raise.
As I was pray-writing, I thought about the Litany of Reform that my sister had sent me the day before. It is an all-encompassing prayer, and many lines hit me deeply. But like most prayers of that nature, some didn’t seem to relate much.
That’s when I decided to write my own litany; one that relates my own daily struggles. Like many personal prayers, it is a “working document.” One that is meant to be changed and added to as my life evolves. I hope to write other litanies as well that focus on the other areas of my life, but I'm just getting my feet wet here.
I want to challenge you to write your own litany to pray. Feel free to use some of my petitions, take some from your favorite litany, or compose your own! Come Holy Spirit!
I’m going to call this the Litany of the Overwhelmed Mom.
From living a life of overwhelm, Jesus, deliver me.
From feelings of despair over the daily monotony, Jesus, deliver me.
From measuring my worth by my productivity, Jesus, deliver me.
From feeling like a failure, Jesus, deliver me.
From the desire to chase every wild dream that comes my way, Jesus, deliver me.
From feelings of jealousy towards others, Jesus, deliver me.
From labeling myself as lazy, Jesus, deliver me.
From mindlessly scrolling on my phone to mentally check out, Jesus, deliver me.
From snapping at my kids because I’m overwhelmed and can’t appropriately respond, Jesus, deliver me.
From responding in anger at unexpected circumstances, Jesus, deliver me.
To experience unshakeable joy in my life, Lord, show me the way.
To heal the inner child crying out within me, Lord, show me the way.
To approach my messes without shame, Lord, show me the way.
To set healthy boundaries with those around me, Lord, show me the way.
To respond to my husband and children with love, Lord, show me the way.
To efficiently manage my household, Lord, show me the way.
To be able to pivot with grace when life throws me a curve ball, Lord, show me the way.
To bring beauty and goodness into the world, Lord, show me the way.
To exemplify the virtues of the feminine genius, Lord, show me the way.
To be humble in all things, Lord, show me the way.
To model my life after our Blessed Mother, Lord, show me the way.
To love myself unconditionally, Lord, show me the way.
To do all things for the glory of God, Lord, show me the way.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus Ligouri, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us.
All Holy Souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
Amen.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah
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