Monday, July 29, 2013

Anti-Depression Prayers

Image by lightfoot
This is a great prayer to pray over someone struggling with depression. Just substitute the "us" etc for the person's name. I prayed this over a friend and family member today and hope that others will also use it.
"O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in
Your protecting love and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose,
Your will through all things."
By Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Here's what it would look like with a name put in. While God knows who we're praying over whether we use names or not, I think our belief is stronger when using someone's specific name before the Lord and that makes the prayer more powerful.
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and Marie feels her weakness and helplessness,
give her the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help Marie to have perfect trust in
Your protecting love and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry her,
for, living close to You,
she shall see Your hand,
Your purpose,
Your will through all things.

And, just in case you'd like more prayer, here's another, less eloquent one, by me:
Dear Lord, 
Please be with my dear Sister in Christ. In the name of Jesus, free her from the depression that binds her, open her eyes to the truth and depth of your great love for her, and her great worth in Your sight. Let her feel your mighty power and strength at work in her heart, release her from all fear, all worry, and anything that keeps her from experiencing Your peace. Fill her with Your peace that passes all understanding and help her to be the strong, courageous, godly woman you created her to be. 
In Jesus' name, Amen.
May God release my Sister in Christ from her depression and may He bless you and keep you!

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