(9) From the Desire of Being Honored, Deliver Me, Jesus
Litany of Humility, Line 4: “From the desire of being Honored, deliver me, Jesus.”
Wait—what’s wrong with being honored?
Nothing, in itself.
Honor is a beautiful thing when it flows rightly—when it’s given freely and received humbly.
The problem starts when we need it.
When we chase it.
When we quietly crumble without it.
And that’s what this prayer is getting at. Not the experience of being honored—but the desire for it.
That hunger. That ache. That little voice inside that says:
“Does anyone notice me? Appreciate me? Respect me?”
We’ve all heard it.
Especially when we’ve poured ourselves out and nobody claps.
Especially when someone else gets the recognition we hoped for.
Especially when we’re tired and unseen and tempted to quit.
🚨 Litany Line in Real Life
Let’s make it plain.
You might be operating from a desire for honor if…
You secretly wish your boss would recognize you in the staff meeting.
You post your good deeds online—not to share joy, but to boost your image.
You get resentful when others are praised and you’re not mentioned.
You daydream about someone finally standing up and saying, “She was right all along.”
You’re doing a great job serving others—but you’re bitter no one’s said thank you.
And listen—we get it.
You’re not needy. You’re not dramatic.
You just want to know that what you do matters.
But here’s the truth: it already does.
Even if no one sees it but Jesus.
💔 The Trap of Honor
The desire to be honored feels noble.
It sounds like a longing for justice, for fairness, for truth to be known.
But often—it’s just ego in a dress.
Wanting to be honored can trap us in comparison, resentment, and subtle manipulation.
And sometimes, it makes us unsafe for others to succeed around.
Because when we need honor, we start hoarding it.
We hog the spotlight.
We skip the part where we say, “Actually, she did most of the work.”
But…
🕊️ The Freedom of Not Needing Honor
When Jesus delivers us from this desire, something holy happens.
You get to focus on the mission, not the recognition.
You can lift others up without competing for credit.
You’re free to do what’s right—even when no one notices.
You don’t have to keep score or build a resume.
You become safe for others to succeed around.
And best of all?
You’re not waiting on human praise to feel valuable.
You already heard the Voice that said, “You are Mine.”
🪞 A Moment to Receive
Close your eyes.
Picture Jesus at your side, crown in His hands.
But instead of putting it on your head—He places it at His feet.
Because this life isn’t about glory for us.
It’s about glory through us.
Let Him lift the weight off your shoulders.
Let Him free you from the need to be honored.
Let Him fill the ache that applause never really touches.
🙏 A Prayer for Change
Jesus, I confess—I’ve craved honor.
Sometimes I feel like it’s the only proof that I matter.
But you see me. You know me. You honor me with your love.
Free me from the hunger for praise.
Make me content to be small, if it means You are lifted high.
Let me cheer for others and clap with a full heart.
Help me prefer Your smile to the world’s applause.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
💬 Mary, Pray for Us
Mother of humility,
You lived in the shadows and never complained.
Teach us to be faithful in the background.
Help us love without being noticed.
Hungry for more?
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