Prayers for depression and despair
Feeling heavy and hopeless
For the heavy days when hope feels far away.
Also for depression · feeling hopeless · heavy heart · emotional heaviness · can't shake this sadness · despair · feeling low · deep sadness · hopelessness · weighed down · dark cloud over me
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
A prayer
Original writing, not a quotation of Scripture.
Lord, this heaviness has settled over me and I don't know how to lift it on my own. Some days even getting through feels like more than I have in me. I don't need to pretend to you that I'm fine, because you already know I'm not.
Meet me in this dark, low place, even if I can't feel you there right now. Give me the courage to reach out for help, to you, and to the people and professionals who can walk with me through this, and don't let me carry it in silence. In Jesus' name, Amen.