“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 43:5
Lord Jesus, many of us occasionally visit, or “permanent residency,” somewhere between mild melancholia and deep depression. Teach us how to care for our friends in the throes of dark feelings. And teach us what to do with our own fears, anxieties, and heart-distress.
Continue to free us from simplistic views of depression. David asked the right question in his own season of duress: “Why, my soul, are you downcast?” (Ps. 43:5).—for there are many reasons for a downcast, disturbed soul. You don’t love us more when we’re happy; you’re joyful in loving us no matter our emotional state..
We pray for friends whose depression is spiritually generated. The dark hole of living with little (if any) experience of the wonders of your love and the peace of God can be debilitating. Especially when the devil’s condemning, blaming, and shaming voice fuels despair and self-contempt. Jesus, bring the riches of your grace and the power of your Holy Spirit to bear. Sabotage the non-stop lies of our defeated yet fury-filled foe (Rev. 12:12).
For friends suffering from depression generated by physiological reasons, lead them (us) to proper care and treatment. Our brains and bodies are more complex than we realize. Sometimes medical care is more timely, needed, and “godly” than a renewed commitment to spiritual disciplines.
For friends experiencing trauma-generated anxiety, sadness, or depression—Jesus, meet them (us) in the fresh loss, cratered-heart, or collision with evil. Help them (us) process their stories with caring listeners. Grant situation-shaped grace, and help in naming and taming our triggers.
Jesus, help each of us steward our “downcast-ness.” Whether we’ve drifted into an elder-brother whiney-pity-party (Luke 15:25-32), are finally doing long-overdue grief-work, are experiencing the normal sense of loss that comes with aging, or have just buried a spouse, child, or friend… that’s where you’ll meet us, grace us, and serve us. Jesus, don’t let us isolate; let us incubate in the presence of a few good friends. Thank you, and So Very Amen.
