Complete this sentence: “When in doubt, ____.” How do we cope when we’re running low on self-confidence?
All of us have had good days and hard days. There are days wherein we feel like we’re on top of the world, and we shine with pride because everything goes according to plan. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen all the time, as there are also days when we are at our lowest in which we are too exhausted to do even basic tasks, too doubtful of our goals and capabilities, and too insecure about ourselves and our achievements.
Take courage in the fact that it is these things that make us strong. An athlete cannot be strong without years of discipline, sweat, and blood, and an artist cannot be masterful without countless rejections and failures. Similarly, we should trust the process and remember that this is God’s way of strengthening us and making us realize our true, hidden potential, which won’t be possible without His help.
When days feel challenging and low self-esteem threatens to take over, silence all the negative voices and thoughts and focus on God through this prayer for confidence.
Prayer for self-confidence
Dear God, our Heavenly Shepherd,
Bright is the light that You shine upon the world, lighting up every dark corner of doubt and every alley of fear. You find me when I am lost, carrying me back to safety and security.
I approach Your gracious presence with a battered and weary heart, and I finally lay down all my burdens and disappointments. As I approach Your Holy presence, I strip myself of every negative thought, degrading comment, and disappointing defeat that I have been carrying. Instead, I will look upon them with neutrality and no trace of negativity because I promise myself that I will see them as necessary stepping stones to achieving happiness and growth.
I place myself in Your care as I struggle with doubts and fears. Now that I have bared myself of negative feelings, I seek Your comforting arms and reassuring words as I recover from every insecurity that I struggled with, many of which threatened to destroy my self-love and self-esteem. Blind me from my insecurities and the negative energy that the devil, other people, and even my own mind may throw at me, but open my eyes to the immeasurable greatness that I am capable of, greatness that is possible because I stand on Your shoulder.
Lord God, be with me as I fight for my dreams and everything I believe in, even when no one else stands up with me. May my confidence make me shine and brighten away the gloom that plagues other people who struggle just as I did. May we seek comfort not only in ourselves but in each other too as we share stories of Your majesty.
I beg You to hear my prayer for self esteem.
All these I pray in the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Light of the world and of my life,
Amen.
Short prayer for confidence
Dear God,
Save me from the insecurities that hinder me from achieving self-love and appreciation. I know that there are things I can’t control and that my defeats are part of my achievements. Give me the strength and courage I need to carry my defeats with pride, appreciation for my effort and trust in You. I hope that I will learn to love myself for who I am right now, and to believe in what I am capable of. Give me confidence and boost my self-esteem in times of both victory and defeat.
Amen.
The Word of God
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NRSVUE
Do not, therefore, abandon that boldness of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Anthony
Gracious Saint Anthony,
Carry my songs of thanksgiving to His heavenly throne, for He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. He never left my side when I shamelessly sinned, and He even sought me out and gently set me on the right path: the one that led back to Him. His mercy is everlasting and His graciousness continues to touch me during my darkest days, and for these I am eternally grateful.
May He reassure me of His wonderful plans for my life, and how He created me to be strong enough to satisfy those promises even amidst all the challenges. May He strengthen my heart and grant me confidence when I feel like I am not enough. I pray that the Lord God will fill my life with positivity and self-esteem. May He teach me to love myself just as He loved me, the kind of love that is unconditional and endures both trials and happiness.
I know that with your voice joining mine in prayer, the Lord will hear my request. Saint Anthony, pray for me.
Further reflection
What things trigger our self-doubt and insecurities, and how does this affect us? For some, a trigger is any form of negative feedback, and this causes them to keep their talents to themselves for fear of being scrutinized. For others, it’s the fear of losing which stops them from trying at all. Our insecurities may seem like tiny negativities that bring a bit of gloom here and there, but in reality, they control a lot of our behaviors. Hence, it is important to recognize the things that trigger our self-doubt and the reasons why they take away our confidence.
Furthermore, there are also a few things to keep in mind whenever we struggle with our insecurities that we can use alongside this prayer for self confidence:
Our defeats are part of our achievements. Difficult days will come, days when everyone and everything seems to judge our every move, days when our achievements don’t feel satisfying or enough. Whenever these difficult days come, talk to God through this prayer for self love, read the Bible, and remember not to let the hard days win.
Failure is not when we are defeated; it is when we ‘fail-ure’ self because we chose to let our insecurities stop us from pursuing what God has planned for us. We also won’t see immediate results, but it shouldn’t discourage us from waiting and persevering. May this Catholic prayer for insecurity give us an insightful perspective of how our life has been a wonderful journey, and that each victory and fall brings us ever closer to God.
Hold your head high and know that the Almighty God is with you always.
