If you are dealing with depression, you don’t need anyone to tell you how much you want to feel the peace and joy that God promises. But when you’re dealing with a mental health issue, it can be hard to think straight to pray that God will lift the burden from you.
There may be multiple hurts that have caused you to despair, but it is not trite to say that God is bigger than every single one of them. What does that mean for you if you are dealing with depression? It means that you have a Heavenly Father who made you, knows exactly what you’re going through, is keeping other problems from you, is carrying you, and knows exactly how He is going to get you to the other side of these thoughts and feelings. And He wants you to use prayer as a way to gain comfort from Him.
The Power of Prayer for Depression
Sometimes prayer is difficult because you don’t “feel” God is there with you– or that He cares. It can be hard to come up with words to express what we are feeling in our depression and what we are asking of God. That’s why it is essential to pray using God’s Word. The Bible contains the very words that the Almighty God Jehovah breathed and inspired others to write down. In the case of the New Testament, we have the very words that Jesus spoke when He was on earth. There is no greater offense and defense in your trial than the power of the Word of God. It reminds you about God’s character, how He feels about you, and the promises that He offers you. I’ve found that when I pray God’s Word back to Him, I’m reminding myself of my covenant relationship with Him, and He is blessed by my desire to be close to Him.
For example, God offers to be your strength and loves you more than you can ask or imagine. Because of that truth, He will use your current trial for your good and His ultimate glory. (Rom. 8:28) That’s a promise that we don’t always see in the moment, but it’s one we can cling to until we see the fruit of it. So we include it in our calling out to God: “Lord Your Word says that You don’t waste any experience and You will use my depression for my good and Your ultimate glory. It’s hard to feel, but I choose to believe it, Abba Father. I pray that You will give me eyes to see the good that You are doing around me, even if things are hard. I know that You will be glorified by my life because that is Your will for me.”
Look to Jesus When You Feel Depressed
One thing to remember when depression makes us think God doesn’t understand is that Jesus experienced significant depression on earth. He was rejected by the people He came to save, He couldn’t make many of His disciples understand about the kingdom of God–and He experienced a soul-wrenching separation from His Father when He needed God most (something we never have to experience if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior). As a result, He is truly able to sympathize with us, feeling what we are feeling and wanting to offer us comfort and guidance. Christians experience depression like non-Christians do, but the difference is your heavenly Father promises that He will never leave or forsake those who believe in Him.
Look to Other Biblical Examples When You Feel Depressed
There were many other people in the Bible who were no stranger sto depression and mental health issues. Jessica Brodie in her article, “What Does the Bible Say About Depression,” notes several of these individuals. For instance, many of the Psalms of Lament (crying out to God for help) were written by King David from his personal experience (God called him “a man after God’s own heart,” but he wasn’t immune to hardship). Others like Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Elijah went through dark times even as they were doing what God called them to do. The example that many point to as likely the most depressed person in the Bible is Job because of everything that was taken from him: his children, his possessions, and his health. Despite these losses, he never cursed God or gave up on his faith in the One he knew could get him through such pain and heartache.
We should also note that depression is not a sin, and very often can be related to a physical cause. But the manner in which we respond to depression can lead us to sin. Prayer is a great way to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus–the only one who truly knows how to comfort and guide us.
Prayer for Those Dealing with Depression
Most Merciful Heavenly Father,
You know me better than anyone, and even better than I know myself. You knit me together in my mother’s womb and said that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14). Lord, you know I don’t feel wonderful and am having a hard time dealing with this depression. Thank you that “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18). Thank you that you see me and you hear me when I call out to you.
Lord, this burden feels so heavy at times, and yet Jesus invites me to come to Him and He will give me rest. (Matt. 11:28). Not only that, but you tell me that I need not fear because You are always with me, strengthening, helping, and upholding me with your “righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Please help me to remember to question what is causing me to be “downcast.” You said that I could put my hope in You, “for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11). Your word says you are a shield around me, my fortress, my stronghold where no evil can get to me and where I am safe. You are my Champion and the lover of my soul. You will never leave me or forsake me, as it says in Deuteronomy 31:8; in fact, you go before me into any moment or situation. Your unfailing love surrounds those who trust in You. (Psalm 32:10)
And please, Abba Father, direct my thoughts to those that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8). In other words, help me to continue to pray to you throughout the day, keeping an open discussion about what you are doing and what you want me to do.
Finally Lord, I trust you. I wait patiently for you. You know the way that I take and when you have tried me, I shall come forth as gold just like Job said (Job 23:10). “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.
Thank you for your love, goodness and mercy toward me. Most of all, thank you for the gift of your son Jesus who is my source of hope. I will get through this because of You.
For Further Reading
G. Connor Salter, in his article, “10 Christian Books on Depression” offers a great list of resources for people living with depression or wanting to help someone else who is fighting that battle. Books like In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for This Beautiful, Broken Life by Sheila Walsh are especially impactful, since Sheila herself has fought through depression for many years of her life.
30 Bible Verses for Depression
What Does the Bible Say about Depression?
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