Are You a Teacher? Try This Litany of Fortitude Asking for Strength Through the School Day

Every teacher or person who knows a teacher understands that this profession is not for the faint of heart.

Especially as teachers approach the end of the semester, “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why…” Final exams will happen anyway.

In support of all fellow teachers, I’ve written this Litany of Fortitude, inspired by The Evangelista’s Litany of Patience.

Litany of Fortitude for Teachers

When I am beyond tired after the school day,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to repay sass with snark,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to judge my students uncharitably,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to ignore the quieter students,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to avoid disciplining as I ought,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to avoid difficult, yet formative conversations,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to not be emotionally attentive or avoid eye contact,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to be negative and not joyful,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to avoid reaching out to students who are struggling academically or emotionally,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to skip intercessory prayers for my students,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to drown out the Holy Spirit’s “inconvenient” voice of direction,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to talk over their heads because it is easier,
Give me strength, O Jesus.
When I am tempted to ignore the work it takes to effectively evangelize,
Give me strength, O Jesus.

Lord, teach me to see Your face in each one of my students.
Lord, teach me to learn from my students.
Lord, teach me to love my students.

Prayer of St. Ambrose:

Teach me, O Lord, to search for You.
Show Yourself to me when I search for You.
If You do not teach me first, I can not seek You.
If You do not reveal Yourself to me, I can not find You.
In longing, may I search for You,
And in searching long for You.
In love may I find You,
And in finding You, love You.

Amen.

[See also: How to Pray the Litany of Saints]