Davening for it is not running after it.
It is not an observation, nor merely a promise. It is by definition. The Maharal explains that Kavod is the perception about you from others. The more you try to manipulate that the more you are taking away from there being ‘others.’ This does not apply to Davenning for it.
Kavod is important. Why do you assume it isn’t? Sure, running after it is an embarrassment, and delving on it brings Gaava. The same goes for most important and necessary things. It really pays to understand this.