We lift up this precious daughter and her mother before the Lord, knowing that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The weight of severe depression, physical pain, and an unbearable living situation is overwhelming, but we serve a God who is mighty to save and who promises to carry our burdens when we cast them upon Him.
First, we must address the spiritual foundation of this struggle. Depression and hopelessness are not just emotional or physical battles—they are spiritual ones. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. We urge this mother to turn her eyes fully upon Christ, for apart from Him, there is no lasting peace or strength. If she has not yet surrendered her life to Jesus, now is the time to cry out to Him for salvation. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, and it is only through faith in Christ that we find true hope. *"Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.’"* (John 14:6, WEB). If she is already a believer, we encourage her to cling to Him more tightly than ever, for He is her refuge and strength.
To the daughter praying for her mother, we commend you for your faithfulness in prayer. This is the most powerful thing you can do. Continue to intercede for her, but also speak life into her. Remind her of God’s promises, read Scripture over her, and encourage her to seek the Lord in prayer and His Word daily. *"Don’t be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB). You cannot carry this burden alone, but you can point her to the One who can.
We must also address the difficult circumstances this mother is facing. Living in a violent and stressful environment is not God’s will for His children. We pray for wisdom and open doors for her to relocate to a safer place, whether that means moving to a different home or seeking temporary shelter with trusted believers. The body of Christ is called to bear one another’s burdens, and we urge her to reach out to her church or a local Christian community for practical support. If she is not connected to a biblical church, now is the time to find one where she can be loved, discipled, and cared for.
The physical pain she is enduring is also a heavy burden. Arthritis and the complications from the IUD are real struggles, and we pray for healing in Jesus’ name. We encourage her to seek godly medical counsel, but also to trust that God is sovereign over her body. *"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed."* (1 Peter 2:24, WEB). This does not mean she will not face pain, but it means that God can bring restoration and comfort even in suffering.
Now, we must speak truth into the marriage. A husband who is "terrible" to his wife is not walking in obedience to God’s Word. The Bible commands husbands to *"love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it"* (Ephesians 5:25, WEB). If this husband is a believer, he is failing in his God-given role, and we rebuke this sinful behavior in the name of Jesus. We pray for conviction and repentance in his heart. If he is not a believer, we pray for salvation and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Either way, this mother must understand that she does not have to endure abuse or mistreatment. If her husband is verbally, emotionally, or physically abusive, she has a biblical right to seek safety and separation, especially if he is unrepentant. *"For God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification."* (1 Thessalonians 4:7, WEB). We pray for godly counsel and wisdom for her in how to navigate this situation, whether that means reconciliation through repentance or taking steps to protect herself and her children.
Finally, we address the reliance on numerous tablets (medications). While we do not dismiss the need for medical treatment, we caution against placing ultimate hope in medication rather than in God. *"Don’t trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God."* (Psalm 146:3-5, WEB). We pray for discernment for her doctors and for healing that may reduce or eliminate the need for some of these medications. We also encourage her to seek natural and holistic ways to care for her body, such as proper nutrition, gentle exercise, and rest, as the Lord leads.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this mother who is overwhelmed by depression, pain, and despair. Lord, You see her suffering, and You are not distant from her anguish. We ask that You would draw her close to Yourself, that she would feel Your presence and know Your peace that surpasses all understanding. If she does not know You as her Savior, we pray that today would be the day of salvation for her, that she would repent of her sins and place her faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of depression and hopelessness in Jesus’ name. We declare that You are her hope and her deliverer. *"Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence."* (Psalm 42:5, WEB). Fill her with Your joy and strength, even in the midst of her pain.
Father, we pray for healing over her body. Touch her arthritis, her reactions from the IUD, and every place where pain has taken hold. We ask for Your restoring hand to move mightily, that she would experience relief and renewal. Guide her to the right medical care and give her wisdom in how to steward her health.
Lord, we lift up her marriage to You. If her husband is a believer, convict him deeply of his sin and bring him to repentance. Softening his heart, Lord, and make him the husband You’ve called him to be—one who loves, cherishes, and protects his wife as Christ loves the church. If he is not a believer, we pray for his salvation, that he would encounter You in a way that transforms his life. Protect this mother, Lord, and show her the steps to take if she needs to seek safety. Surround her with godly counsel and support.
We pray for provision and a way out of this violent and stressful living situation. Open doors, Lord, for her to move to a place of peace and safety. Provide the resources, the connections, and the opportunities she needs to escape this environment. Let Your people rise up to help her, that she would not feel alone in this battle.
Father, we also pray for her daughter, who is faithfully interceding for her mother. Strengthen her, Lord, and give her the words to speak life and truth into her mother’s heart. Protect her from discouragement and fill her with Your peace as she trusts You in this.
Lastly, Lord, we pray that this mother would not place her ultimate trust in medications or human solutions, but in You alone. Lead her to the right treatments, but let her hope be firmly rooted in Your power and Your promises.
We declare victory over this situation in Jesus’ name. We speak life, hope, and healing into this mother’s heart, body, and home. May she rise up from this place of despair and walk in the freedom and joy that You have purchased for her on the cross.
In Jesus’ mighty and holy name, we pray. Amen.
