Date: April 21, 2022
By: Michelle W.
"I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls." (Diary of Saint Faustina, paragraph 1074)
I am in a season where I am finding audio prayer apps have become a very helpful instrument in my prayer life, particularly when spending plenty of time behind the wheel driving my four kids here and there! Not too long ago I ended up joining a ‘7 -Day Prayer Challenge’ in which I discovered the Litany of Trust and was immediately captured by the words in this very special prayer. It was like each invocation put into words what the depths of my heart would frequently sigh. Through this prayer, my emotional tank full of anxiety, worry, and doubt quickly drains and is replenished with a fuel that gives me a deep sense of trust in a God who is reminding me to lovingly surrender, let go, and offer an unconditional “yes” to Him through each and every moment.
The Litany of Trust was written by Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life (named after Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska - Secretary of the Divine Mercy). Early in her vocation Sr. Faustine Maria Pia, S.V. recounts a time of confusion and uncertainty in her life when she had been constantly praying to God for clarity and direction. She deeply desired to know what God wanted for her in her challenging situation, but she also wanted to know the reasons why, and sought out explanations to the struggles and suffering she was experiencing. Praying in her room one night before a crucifix, God tenderly revealed that He didn’t want her to give her “yes” to a bunch of circumstances that fit into her realm of understanding but instead to give her unconditional “yes”, fully and wholeheartedly to Him, the person of Jesus who was calling her to trust. Out of Christ’s loving consolations she heard the words “write the Litany of Trust. " She sat down and composed this prayer from words that flowed effortlessly from her heart, without a doubt, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Through each petition penned, Sr. Faustina, S.V. felt like the areas of her life tied down with fear and temptation were freed by total assurance in God’s loving mercy for her. She quickly realized this must be shared with others who needed this grace and message.
I am currently writing this piece delighting in how timely the message of trust in God is as we approach the great feast of Divine Mercy that takes place on the first Sunday after Easter. In times of strife, if there is one “arrow prayer” I tend to blurt out quickly in my mind it is the same one that is written under the image of Divine Mercy that reads “Jesus, I trust in You.” These words summarize the message that Saint Faustina was asked to spread to the world: for people to trust in God’s mercy. This mercy goes beyond compassion and forgiveness. In Sr. Faustina’s S.V. book titled Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust she writes, “God’s mercy encompasses the fullness of His love for us, which is freely and infinitely given, without conditions for earning it.” In other words, we are always at the receiving end of God’s merciful love at every single moment of our lives; there is nothing we can do to earn it as it is always freely given. The act of trusting God compels us to believe in Him, to love Him, and to hope in Him. It is recognizing that God has a divine script for our lives and that He has the best outcome in mind despite any hardship we may be facing. It is resting in the assurance that He will give to us everything we need as long as we are able to let go of our need to control and open our hearts to His divine will for us. The Lord clearly outlines the benefits of placing our trust in Him and this is revealed numerous times in Saint Faustina’s Diary. One example is from paragraph 1578:
"The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts."
In these words I am led back to The Litany of Trust. In every petition of this prayer we are asking God for a deeper trust in Him and in return are led to a place of peaceful resolve. Each time I pray this litany I am quickly reminded that all is grace! That it is only God’s love that is sustaining, dependable, and certain. That my small sufferings united with Christ’s have merit to bear fruit in the here and now, but also in eternity! This is what truly brings me hope and encouragement in my journey through life. I am given the strength to be transformed by God’s mercy, where feelings of worry and disappointment dissipate and give way to the assurance and dependence of God’s love for me. A love that has no measure and freely flows when unresisted. My hope for you is that you would discover the same graces in praying The Litany of Trust. Whatever difficulties and struggles you are experiencing, may you find yourself accepting the invitation from God to enter into a deeper relationship with Him and be given the ability to trust in Him with boldness and courage.
LITANY OF TRUST Written by The Sisters 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.