We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, lifting up your son who is struggling with depression. This is a battle not just of the mind, but of the spirit, and we know that the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the joy and peace that God intends for His children. But we also know that Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). We stand in the gap for your son, declaring that he is not alone in this fight, for the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
First, we must address the mention of your "boy" in this request. Scripture is clear that relationships between a man and a woman are to be pursued with the goal of marriage, as God designed. If this is a romantic relationship, we encourage you both to consider whether this courtship is moving toward a godly marriage that honors the Lord. If it is not, we must rebuke any sin of fornication or emotional dependency that does not align with God’s design. The Bible warns us, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4). We pray that any relationship outside of God’s will would be surrendered to Him, and that your son would seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Now, turning to the immediate need—depression is a heavy burden, but we serve a God who is mighty to save. The psalmist cried out, "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" (Psalm 42:11). We declare that your son’s hope is not in his circumstances, but in the Lord who is faithful. We rebuke the spirit of despair and heaviness in Jesus’ name, for the Word says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed" (Luke 4:18).
We also lift up your son’s physical and emotional well-being. Depression can often be accompanied by isolation, and we pray that he would not withdraw from the community of believers. The Bible tells us, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). We pray that he would find godly friends and mentors who can speak life into him and remind him of God’s promises.
Father God, we come before You now, lifting up this young man who is struggling with depression. Lord, You are the God who sees, the God who hears, and the God who heals. We ask that You would break the chains of despair that seek to bind him. Fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Remind him of Your love, which is steadfast and unchanging. Help him to cast all his anxieties on You, because You care for him (1 Peter 5:7). Surround him with Your presence, Lord, and let him feel Your arms of comfort wrapped around him.
We pray for wisdom for those who are supporting him—whether it be family, friends, or professionals. Give them discernment to know how to encourage him and point him to You. We also pray for any underlying spiritual attacks that may be contributing to his depression. We rebuke the enemy’s lies in Jesus’ name and declare that no weapon formed against him shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Lord, we ask that You would restore his joy. Let him experience the fullness of life that You came to give. Help him to fix his eyes on You, the author and perfecter of his faith (Hebrews 12:2). Strengthen him in his weakness, for Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We declare that he is not defined by his depression, but by who You say he is—a beloved child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
We also pray for you, as his parent, that You would give you strength, patience, and wisdom as you walk alongside him. May you find comfort in knowing that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Help you to trust in Him, even when the path is unclear.
In all these things, we pray that Your will would be done, and that Your name would be glorified. We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names, the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Amen.