Litany of Trust
The Litany of Trust is a modern Catholic litany, written by Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life, that asks Jesus to free the person praying from fear and to deepen trust in him. At Find A Prayer, we collect prayers from Catholic devotional tradition to give families and individuals clear words during seasons of fear. A leader speaks an invocation, and everyone answers with a single repeated line.
This rhythmic structure anchors several historic Catholic devotions, including the Litany of Loreto, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and the Litany of the Saints. The Litany of Trust is widely prayed in parishes, schools and on retreats. Trusting God does not guarantee an easy outcome.
Faith traditions describe trust as leaning on God while a difficulty continues. The words written under the Divine Mercy image are "Jesus, I trust in You." The Sisters of Life hold the text of the Litany of Trust, and it is not reproduced on this page.
A Short Catholic Prayer of Trust
Lord Jesus Christ, You call us to lean on Your goodness rather than our own frail understanding. When dread presses upon our minds and burdens cloud our spirits, draw our hearts back to You. Free us from the quiet fear of being forgotten, and teach us to rest beneath Your gentle care. We place our worries, our families, and our tomorrows entirely into Your hands. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen.
An Original Litany of Trust
Leader: At the sound of the morning alarm and the start of a long day, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: On a crowded commute surrounded by rushing strangers, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: At the kitchen table when an unexpected bill arrives in the mail, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: When a child walks out the door for school, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: In the quiet moments before making a phone call we have put off, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: In a hospital waiting room while doctors confer down the hall, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: At the holiday table before an empty chair, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: In the dark of a quiet night when sleep is slow to arrive, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Leader: Jesus, Shepherd of our souls, for every gift of this passing day, Response: Jesus, I trust in You. Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, give us the grace to lean on You through every ordinary task and every heavy hour. Even when our difficulties continue without a visible resolution, keep our hearts anchored in Your presence today. Amen.
A Longer Catholic Prayer for Surrender to God
Almighty and merciful God, You hold all creation within Your providential care, yet You know the intimate struggles of every human soul. We come before You acknowledging that we often cling to our own plans and measure peace by the absence of trouble. Teach us that true peace comes from resting in Your presence, even while our trials continue. We look to Jesus Christ, who revealed Your tender mercy and invited us to approach Him without fear. Forgive the doubts that rise within us when the road turns steep or when solutions seem out of reach. We lay aside the quiet pride that insists on knowing every outcome in advance. Strengthen our resolve to seek Your will first, acknowledging Your wisdom in every step we take. When fear grips our minds, give us the courage to speak the name of Jesus and remain steady. Guide our families, heal our broken spirits, and grant us the patience to walk through dark valleys with hope. We entrust our lives, our work, and our final hour into Your sovereign hands. Amen.
A Catholic Prayer for Peace During a Fearful Night
Lord Jesus, the darkness of night often magnifies the fears that we quiet during the daytime hours. When sleep departs and our thoughts race through worries we cannot resolve, be our peace and our protection. Quiet the restlessness of our minds. Help us remember that Your mercy covers every hour of the night. We place our family members, our health, and our unresolved questions under Your watchful gaze. Grant rest to our weary bodies and let us rest in Your care until morning comes. Amen.
A Catholic Prayer When the Future Feels Uncertain
Heavenly Father, we stand before paths we cannot see clearly and decisions that weigh heavily upon our minds. Our human nature desires certainty and guarantees, yet You invite us to walk by faith and lean upon Your direction. Remove the panic that paralyzes our steps. Grant us the clarity to fulfill today's duties with diligence and grace, leaving tomorrow's outcomes in Your merciful hands. Where we see only confusion, let Your wisdom govern our actions. Where we fear scarcity or loss, we ask You to sustain us. May we walk forward with humble confidence, knowing You guide each step. Amen.
A Catholic Prayer When Trust Feels Difficult
Lord Jesus, there are days when fear feels far louder than faith, and when trust feels like a mountain we cannot climb. We confess that our hearts grow cold when sickness lingers, when grief strikes, or when life brings sudden hardship. Look with compassion on our weakness. Do not cast us away because our belief is small; instead, breathe new life into our faltering hope. Help us lean on You even when our feelings resist surrender. We do not demand immediate explanations or easy comfort. We simply ask for the grace to say, through our tears, that we trust in Your enduring love. Amen.
A One-Line Catholic Prayer of Daily Trust
Lord Jesus Christ, take away our fear, guide our steps, and teach our hearts to say in every moment: Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.— Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.— Psalm 56:3 (KJV)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.— Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Litany of Trust?
The Litany of Trust is a modern Catholic prayer written by Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life. The prayer follows the traditional call-and-response litany structure of the Church, leading the person praying to surrender specific fears to Christ and deepen confidence in his love. It is widely prayed in parishes, schools and on retreats.
Who wrote the Litany of Trust?
Sister Faustina Maria Pia wrote the Litany of Trust. She is a member of the Sisters of Life, a Catholic religious community founded in New York.
How do you pray a litany?
You pray a litany using a structured call-and-response pattern. A leader speaks an invocation or petition, and the congregation responds with a shared, repeated refrain such as "Lord, have mercy" or "Jesus, I trust in You." When praying alone, an individual speaks both parts quietly, pausing after each petition to make the response.
Where can I find the full text of the Litany of Trust?
The text of the Litany of Trust is held by the Sisters of Life, and this page does not reproduce it. The original litany on this page is our own, written in the same call-and-response form.
Is the Litany of Trust only for Catholics?
No. The Litany of Trust was written by a Catholic sister and reflects Catholic tradition, but anyone seeking relief from fear may use the call-and-response format to place their burdens in the hands of Jesus.
What does it mean to trust God when things do not improve?
Trusting God does not guarantee a particular outcome. Faith traditions describe trust as leaning on God while a difficulty continues.
Can I write my own litany?
You can easily write an original litany for personal or family devotion. Begin by choosing a fixed response that anchors your intention, such as the traditional Catholic refrain "Jesus, I trust in You." Then compose simple, direct invocations naming the specific anxieties, fears, or attachments you wish to hand over to God.