Living in the Word – Prayer Devotional for Depression
The National Instituted of Mental Health estimates that in the United States, 16 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2012. That’s 6.9 percent of the population!
At times, depression can feel like it has a stronghold on your heart. It can feel impossible to move out from under the fog.
Depression can come in various forms due to differing situations and aspects of our life. But the result can be the same no matter the ‘why’. It can lead to sleep disturbances, appetite changes, altering hormones, sexual problems, self-harming behaviors, and potentially suicide.
Depression can rob a person of joy and decrease motivation to be the person God wants them to be.
But there is hope. As a therapist I meet with people often who are struggling with depression. With work and continued support, people are able to come out from under the fog of depression. It does take time and perseverance. Don’t give up!
Use the scriptures below as a starting point.
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
Psalm 143:7-8
Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 45:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate to seek support! Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
God Bless,
Melissa Gendreau
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