A reader recently requested that I write a prayer for those suffering with depression. I have piles of journals filled with my personal prayers to God. In them, my heart is poured out all over the pages. Sometimes they make sense and flow like an organized prayer and other times they are messy, reflecting the deep turmoil and confusion going on in my heart.
As I considered the request for a prayer on depression, I realized that when I am feeling down or depressed, I struggle with prayer. My heart is so heavy and my mind so overwhelmed, I often can’t put words to my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, I just can’t even pray. It is in these times that I cling to the promise that the Spirit is praying in my stead. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8:26-27)
I have often used the prayers of Paul, the Puritans, or others when I can’t voice my own. It has helped me focus my heart on where my source of hope lies. And as I pray these written prayers, I find that I can then begin to put words to my own.
I hope this prayer can be used during those times when you just don’t know what to pray.
Dear Papa,
I come before you with a heart that is heavy and full. To be honest, I am reluctant to approach you. I’m not sure that I have the strength of faith to even pray. Part of me wonders if you even care to hear me.
But I know this is what I need to do. I know the only cure for this despair and sadness I feel is to be in your presence. David said that in your presence there is great joy. I am clinging to that promise with a white knuckled grip. David also felt many of the same feelings I now have. Just as he cried out to you from the pit, so I too pour out all these thoughts and feelings at your feet.
Forgive me for not coming to you sooner. Forgive me for all my doubts and my weak faith. I know I have failed to love you with all my heart. I know I have forgotten your grace and how much you love me.
Clear my mind, Lord. It is so fuzzy and everything seems distorted. I know life isn’t this bad but it just feels so awful. I know you love me but I feel so loveless. Help me to believe the truth no matter how I feel.
Use this season of brokenness to show me more of your love and grace. Help me not to run from whatever You want to do in my heart. I want to say along with David, “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7).
Help me to see beyond my circumstances, to disbelieve the lies in my mind and to distrust my fleeting emotions. Help me to feel your presence even in the darkest night. May I trust that Your light will shine with the morning sun and cast all the darkness away.
My heart hungers for you. Feed me. Refresh me. Satisfy my soul. Lead me out of this valley and into the heights of Your love.
I lay this at your feet only because of what Jesus did for me. And in His name I pray, Amen.
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Thank you for this. No doubt many need it just as I do. Also, I’m inspired to journal my own Papa prayer and think others will be as well since depression plays itself out in so many ways among us.
I love how honest this is and how in the midst of the struggle, focus still shifts to Him. He is more than able and is ever-present.
Love.
It’s such amazing grace that we can come to God with honesty, pouring forth all our sorrows. And I’m thankful for you, my friend. You are always there for me:)
Beautiful prayer, Christina. I pray your offering to this woman is like oil on her head and gives her the words she may so desperately search for. Thanks for bearing your heart as well, my friend!
Thanks, Beth! Yes, I hope that my own pain can somehow be used to help someone else, to point them to the Healer of all wounds. So thankful for you and your sweet comment:)
I have no words, so I’m thankful none are necessary. This was beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Christina.
Thank you. Just slicing open my heart a bit to let others in:) I appreciate you seeing my heart and accepting it as it is. Blessings!
Beautiful prayer, Christina. I was excited to see we’re neighbors at Duane’s today!
You’ve obviously walked a painful, lonely path. Thank you for sharing that and being a blessing, 2 Corinthians 1:4 style
It has been lonely and awefully painful at times. But God always shines His light in the darkness, leading me out and into His presence. Thanks for visiting and leaving your kind words!
Thank you, Christina. For opening wide your heart and letting us see that each of our dark places are known by Him. Thank you for sweet words that remind us we are never alone. I know your prayer will be fabric stretched across many frames bent low, hoping to rise again in Him. Thank you.
Your kind words are a treasure! These words of mine are merely a gift from Him to be returned back to Him. So glad you stopped by!
I’m so thankful you wrote this! I’ve never struggled with depression, but I’ve worked with it in counseling. I’m pinning this to have for future clients!
Thanks for linking up with WIP!
You are sweet Mary Beth! I never counseled in a Christian setting so unfortunately I was never able to use a prayer like this. I hope it proves encouraging. Blessings!
prayer is our lifeline to the Father <3
lovely
So true! Thanks for visiting!
A beautiful prayer. And you’ve put words to what some might not be able to find the words for … Here it is, a gift to the broken-hearted. YOU are a gift.
This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these words. You are such gifted writer and encourager friend.
Blessings~
Shari
Just beautiful, Christina. I love how inspiring Paul can be. Love that verse in Romans
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Pls pray for me going thru depression can’t find job got bills to pay. Kids to take care. I m so down. I pray Lord Jesus Christ will do his miracles.
Michelle, thank you for visiting here. I prayed for you, that God would provide, be your comfort, and give you His joy. May His word feed your heart and draw you deeper into His love today. Please let me know how else I can pray.
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