Category Archives: Through All Times

Lord, help us make the world better,
Help us do it today.
Let’s all work together to find the best way.

To give social justice its rightful high place,
And to strive to support each person and race.

To teach one another the things we should know,
And to search for your guidance in the ways we should go.

To all work in harmony, one for another,
Whether Christian or Muslim, Judaic or other.

To make this world righteous, a place we can stay.
To live for each other in your chosen way.

We pray this can happen.  We pray for today.

Philip O. Alderson, M.D.

Dean School of Medicine

VP Health Sciences

O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,                                                                       Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,                                                                  Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,   
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,                                                                     Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,                                                              Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,                                                        Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I,                                                                      provided that I become as holy as I should,             
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

By:  Cardinal Merry del Val                                                                                              (He was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.)

Create In Me A Servant’s Heart, O Lord!

Lord, please help me to follow your example of servanthood.

Create in me a heart of humility that will not allow fame and status to get in the way of service, just as you did not allow equality with God to prevent you from service.

Create in me a heart of willingness to get up from my meal table, whatever that may be, which will prevent me from service, just as you got up from your meal table for service.

Lord, let me be willing to take off my garments, whatever that may entail, which will prevent me from service, just as you took off your garments to prepare yourself for service.

Lord, please help me to be willing to replace my table and my garments with a towel and a basin, whatever form they may take, to prepare my heart and mind for service, just as you took up a towel and a basin.

Lord, please help me to look and sound not only like a servant, but also to serve whole-heartedly by washing feet, whatever shape and form this may take, even the feet of my Judas, just as you washed the feet of your disciples, including Judas – your betrayer.

Lord, please make me a servant like you! Amen.

Written by Joe A. Lieway
Professor of Intercultural and Urban Missions
St. Louis Christian College, St. Louis Missouri