A Prayer for Confidence

from one who doubts herself often

I struggle with confidence. I frequently doubt my decisions. I am good at collaborating and receiving feedback from others. But part of my maturing and growing into adulthood means relying less heavily on the opinions of others and finding my own internal voice of authority. I’m growing in this. Here’s a prayer that I wrote recently. I hope it can be helpful for you too if you are also one who doubts yourself.

A PRAYER FOR CONFIDENCE

I have authority within me.
It is not contingent on what others say of me.
I have authority because of internal work with Jesus.

It comes from listening to Jesus and doing what he says.
It comes from running to Jesus amidst suffering.
It comes from asking the questions I am scared to ask.

I have authority because God is with me.
I have authority because the Holy Spirit gives me words, ideas, and wisdom.
I have authority because Jesus says I am his, I am one whom he loves.

And should the opinion of the world matter, I can play that game.
I have degrees. I have experience. I have integrity.
I am stewarding the gifts God has given.

And though my authority is called into question now,
though I search for an outside authority to assure me,
that my inside authority is valid,

I do not need it.

Because as I slow down now, I can see the undercurrent of God’s work in my life.
The greater win is not that an outsider legitimates me,
but that I am noticing the works of God within me.

God is making me confident.
God is helping me lean upon what he has built up inside of me
through the work of the generations who have gone before me.

God is making me an adult.
I carry the wisdom of my mother and my father.
I carry the wisdom of my own motherhood.

I do not have to crumble. I do not have to panic.
If I listen closely, there is a nurturing and protective voice
inside me, that reflects the image of God.

I can breathe. I can rest.
Knowing Jesus is my Shepherd.
From forever ago to forever from now.

Amen.

We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!… I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. — Philippians 3: 3-4, 7-8