Lord, give me fortitude to overcome my shiftlessness. Sometimes I can be fervent but when a difficulty arises I often give up. I need courage to keep trying. Lord give me fortitude so that I do not give up, grow complacent, and find myself without purpose or confused. I do not want to be caught sleeping when I am put to the test. I don’t want to deny you when I should preach the gospel instead.
Lord you are single minded. You were obedient even unto death. You exhibit perfect fortitude. Jesus, you never waver because you draw your strength in love. Please give me the grace to grow in fortitude and have courage to do your holy will when I am faced with adversity. Help me overcome my shiftlessness so that I fulfill my vocation and glorify you with the charisms you have given me. Help me resist all temptations and fears, so that I can overcome persecutions and trials with confidence.
AMEN
Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.
"The Lord is my strength and my song." Psalm 118:14.
"In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
Give Me Fortitude to Overcome My Shiftlessness
When Humans go out of the World
by St. Hildegard von Bingen
And, O foolish humans, why do you scrutinize a creature about the length of your life? For none of you can either know or avoid or get through the period of his life except as I decide he will live; for, O human, when your salvation is complete in both worldly and spiritual matters, you will leave the present world and pass on to that which has no end.
For when a person has such fortitude that he burns for Me more ardently than other people, and, aware of the earthly dregs of stinking sin, is active in avoiding the snares of the ancient serpent, I do not take his spirit from his body before his fruits have fully ripened with sweetest fragrance.
But if I find one who is of such frailty that in pain of his body and terror of the evil lurker he is too delicate to bear My yoke, I take him away from this world before his soul, wasting away in weakness, begins to dry up.
For I know all things. But I want to caution the human race with all possible justice, so that no person can excuse himself: When I strike them with a sentence of death as if they were about to die, when in fact they are to live for a long time yet, I warn and exhort people to do justice. For no one can have or make for himself any time unless I see usefulness in him and by My will allow him to live.
Scivias, Book 1 Vision Three Paragraph 24
Week 24 of the Virtue Meditations Series
Give Me Fortitude to Overcome My Shiftlessness
Reflection:
Lord, you promise to love me into eternal life by accompanying me through every trial and tribulation I encounter. You showed St. Hildegard of Bingen that in your divine providence you choose to take the souls with fortitude only after their fruit has fully ripened.
Let me have fortitude so that I bear good fruit and can be pleasing to you. I want my life to produce good works and my heart to be filled with tremendous love for you and for my neighbor. I want my life to be one of great virtue so that I can glorify you in my thoughts, words, and deeds.
I know that death comes like a thief in the night. I have to overcome my shiftlessness and bear good fruit.
I breathe because you will it. My very life is a gift. Nothing happens to me that is beyond your will, whether it be your permissive will or your divine will. Please, God, give me fortitude to overcome my shiftlessness. When you speak to my heart in the quiet of prayer let me obey your words and live them with courage and fortitude. Please grant me the gift of fortitude and help me overcome all obstacles to prayer, good works, and my commitment to serving you each day of my life.
Going Further:
Meditate on Jesus’ words of warning to his followers in Mark 13:9-13. He explains discipleship will not be easy. Read the passage and then spend a few moments in silence with the Lord. Reread the passage again, stopping to ponder a word or phrase that speaks to you. If you feel the Lord speaking to you about a particular situation you may want to journal about it.
[Jesus says] “Watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to the courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be arraigned before governors and kings because of me, as a witness before them. But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”
Let us Pray:
Now that we understand the virtue of fortitude, let’s begin with a prayer of petition for it.
Virtue of Fortitude to Overcome Shiftlessness
Prayer of Petition
Eternal Father, I am the work of your creation, made in your image and likeness but too weak to conquer the devil by my own power. I ask you for the grace to grow in virtue, surrendering all my thoughts, words, and deeds to you. Please help me resist the devil and all his tricks. Jesus says that whoever believes in him will do the works that he does and that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name he will do so that You may be glorified. Heavenly Father, you sent us your Son to show us what it means to have perfect virtue in life. Jesus is fully human and fully divine and has perfect virtue. Father, have mercy on me and please give me the grace I need to grow in the virtue of fortitude so that I might overcome all shiftlessness in my thoughts, words, and deeds. AMEN.
Now let’s contemplate the Lord by listening to him speak to us in the Gospels. Slowly meditate on the following passage, reflecting on the virtue of fortitude. Take your time. Pause over a word or phrase that speaks to your heart. Reread the passage again, and then ask Jesus to show you how you can imitate him in fortitude and better overcome shiftlessness. Choose a word or phrase from this passage to write in your journal, and add your thoughts. Go back and prayerfully re-read it throughout the week.
Virtue of Fortitude to Overcome my Shiftlessness
Fortitude in the Garden
from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 22
Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.”
After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”
And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.
He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.
When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.
He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”
While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him.
Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?”
And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus said in reply, “Stop, no more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
Let us Pray:
Jesus, you felt agony in the garden so deeply that your blood dripped from your brow. You were alone, betrayed, and waiting for the soldiers to arrest you like a lamb to the slaughter.
Jesus, you accepted death with fortitude and courage. You assented to the Father’s will.
In spite of all the evil around you, and all the cowardice and shiftlessness of your disciples, you touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
I am deeply moved that you healed him in that moment of chaos.
Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me. AMEN.
Virtue of Fortitude to Overcome My Shiftlessness
A Prayer for an Increase in Virtue for Others
Lord Jesus Christ, you say that when two or more are gathered in your name, you are with us. Jesus, in your name I lift up every person who has joined this prayer challenge or will join it in the future. I ask you to give us all the grace we need to grow in virtue and holiness so that we may love and serve you in our lives and through the people we love and care for. Help us in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Guide us all by your Holy Spirit and give us the strength to overcome every temptation from the evil one. We ask all this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Together as a group we will pray for each other and strive to make good resolutions and keep them. Remember, it’s your heart that God wants to capture. Your efforts are out of love for him and a desire to imitate him as best you can in holiness.
If you fail, do not quit trying. Be merciful to yourself and learn to love the process of striving to be more like Jesus every day. Keep your gaze on Jesus. Being virtuous is a process. No one is perfect, so just start anew every time you fail.
How do I Practice Virtue?
You’ve learned about the 24th Virtue, and you’ve prayed for God to give you grace. Now what? Let’s take a look at the Catechism for some guidance on how we can make Week 24 a successful effort.
Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity. He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude.
"Let me become the food of the beasts, through whom it will be given me to reach God." - St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Rom. 4,1:SCh 10,110.
Making Resolutions
Take a moment to reflect on the virtue of fortitude. What are the ways you can freely practice this virtue this week? Ask the Lord to give you opportunities, and when you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you, take action. Write down your resolutions for this coming week in your prayer journal. Remind yourself to complete these resolutions daily for this entire week, and as the Spirit prompts you, feel free to write about your experiences with this virtue throughout the week.
In My Thoughts:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my thoughts by… (make your intention).
In My Words:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my words by… (make your intention).
In My Actions:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my actions by… (make your intention).
Join our Virtue Meditation Prayer Challenge
Get weekly emails introducing each of the 35 virtues of St. Hildegard of Bingen
Click this link to view all 35 of our virtue meditations.
Pray the Litany of Virtues prayer.
Pray the next Virtue Meditation
Week 25 Mental Prayer Meditation
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
“Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation” – join us for our 25th meditation on the 35 virtues of St. Hildegard of Bingen.