By Melissa LaNeve, Director of Campus Ministry
We are called to love ourselves the way that God loves us- as a whole person: mind, body, AND soul. One “part” cannot be separated from the others. Each plays a significant role in our health, so if one suffers, our whole being suffers. Perhaps our soul is the least frequently catered to and cared for because its presence is not as readily apparent to us. Whereas our mind and body are very apparent due to our continual thoughts and movements.
There is a beautiful prayer that Campus Ministry came across this summer which embodies the need to care for each part of our being by entrusting our souls to the God who created us as we are. This prayer is called the “Litany of Self Love” and was written by Micole Amalu of The Face of Mercy.
How can this prayer help us to love ourselves, mind, body, and soul, better? Its format lends itself to honest self-reflection. Line by line, it helps us to identify our needs and areas of struggle. As you pray each line the ones you’re struggling with the most will surely stand out to you. In that moment of connection, the line is followed by the prayer, “Deliver me, Jesus,” to invite into that area the One who can bring healing and peace.
I encourage you to read through the litany and notice what stands out. Then earnestly pray it all the way through. To go even deeper, take one line and ask God to reveal the ways He wants to bring healing and comfort to you in that area today. Do this every day by choosing a different line or whichever line is most relevant to your current circumstances and spend time listening for God’s response. Care for your soul by praying for your whole being: mind, body, and soul. Let Jesus deliver you from the lies, be with you in the struggles, and show you He is a trustworthy caretaker for your whole being.
Campus Ministry created large prayer cards with this litany and gave them to new and returning students. Please email Campus Ministry at campusministry@annamaria.edu if you need extra cards.
Litany of Self Love:
From the pain of self-hatred, Deliver me, Jesus.
From a negative view of my body and self, Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love for me, Deliver me, Jesus.
From doubting that I was created good, Deliver me, Jesus.
From believing I am a burden, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire to be completely self-reliant, Deliver me, Jesus.
From negative self-talk and internal dialogue, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the demands of perfectionism, Deliver me, Jesus.
From my own unattainable expectations, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the pull to neglect my bodily needs, Deliver me, Jesus.
From excessive ascetic practices that You are not asking of me, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the denial of comforts that would draw me closer to You, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the temptation to harm my self: bodily, emotionally, or spiritually, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the temptation to work without rest, Deliver me, Jesus.
When I doubt Your love for me, Be with me, Jesus.
When I want to hide from Your love, Be with me, Jesus.
When I doubt that You want my good, Be with me, Jesus.
When I despise myself, Be with me, Jesus.
When I engage in intentional self-harm, Be with me, Jesus.
When I cannot escape my own self-criticism, Be with me, Jesus.
When I get disconnected from my own self and lost in dissociation, Be with me, Jesus.
When I numb my pain in unhealthy ways, Be with me, Jesus.
When I avoid healthy self-care, Be with me, Jesus.
When I neglect my own needs, Be with me, Jesus.
That I am your beloved daughter/son, Jesus, I trust in You.
That I was created in Your image and likeness, Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are wildly in love with me, Jesus, I trust in You.
That You desire my good, Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will fulfill my good desires, Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am worthy of care and attention, Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am worthy of rest, Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am worthy of food and nourishment, Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am worthy of the care & love I extend to others, Jesus, I trust in You.
That You want me to will my own good, Jesus, I trust in You.
