Severe persistent depression and anxiety
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We hear your heart and we thank you for sharing so honestly about the severe and persistent depression and anxiety you are walking through. We do not take this lightly and we are standing with you in prayer, asking God to bring healing, peace, and renewed strength as we seek His will together in Jesus' name.
We are grateful that you know Jesus as your Savior, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and find our hope and healing. You called yourself a born again Christian and we rejoice with you in that faith, because our confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ who loves us and intercedes for us. As it is written, there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved in Acts 4:12, and it is in that name we pray for you now.
We want to gently encourage you that struggling with depression and anxiety does not mean you have failed or that your faith is weak. Many faithful followers of God in Scripture cried out from deep distress. The psalmist asked, 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 in Psalm 42:11. God is not distant from your pain. He is near, for Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit in Psalm 34:18, and we cling to His promise, Don't you be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness in Isaiah 41:10.
You mentioned spiritual warfare, and we want to affirm that Scripture does teach that we have a spiritual enemy. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places in Ephesians 6:12. The enemy does seek to accuse, to steal hope, and to whisper lies that you are alone or beyond help. At the same time we want to lovingly correct the idea that all depression and anxiety is only spiritual warfare or only a spiritual failure. Our minds and bodies are part of our fallen world and persistent depression often has biological, emotional, and circumstantial roots as well as spiritual ones. God can use many means to bring healing, including prayer, His Word, the support of other believers, wise biblical counseling, and medical help when needed. We encourage you not to walk through this alone but to reach out to a trusted pastor, a biblical counselor, and a medical professional who can walk with you and help discern what support you need. Seeking help is not a lack of faith, it is wisdom.
We want to share some truth to hold onto when the thoughts feel heavy. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control in 2 Timothy 1:7. He invites us to bring everything to Him, for He cares deeply for you. In nothing be anxious, 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 in Philippians 4:6-7. And we are called to be casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you in 1 Peter 5:7. When anxious thoughts come, we can learn by His grace to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:5, replacing lies with what God says is true about you, that you are loved, not forsaken, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord in Romans 8:38-39.
We also encourage you to daily put on the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18, to stay rooted in the Word, in honest prayer, in fellowship with other believers, in worship even when you do not feel like it, and in simple rhythms of rest, nourishment, and care for your body as God enables you. If you have not already, please let someone in your local church know how you are doing so they can pray with you regularly and check on you.
We now pray together for you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we lift up our dear brother or sister to Your throne of grace. You see the weight of this persistent depression and anxiety, You know every tear, every sleepless night, every heavy thought. Lord, we ask that You would draw near and let Your presence be felt in a powerful way. We rebuke the lies and oppression of the enemy and ask that You would silence every voice that is not from You. Fill this dear one with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Renew their mind by Your Word and by Your Spirit, bring healing to body, soul, and spirit, and restore hope and joy step by step. Give wisdom to any counselors or doctors who come alongside, give strength to reach out for help and to remain connected to Your people, and remind them daily that they are deeply loved, held, and never alone. We thank You that You are the God who heals the brokenhearted and that You are working even now for good. We trust You for progress and for complete restoration in Your perfect timing and will. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to keep seeking Him and to keep letting others walk with you. We are continuing to pray for you to get better, for the heaviness to lift, for anxiety to be calmed by His perfect love, and for you to experience the hope and steadiness that comes from abiding in Christ day by day.
We are grateful that you know Jesus as your Savior, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and find our hope and healing. You called yourself a born again Christian and we rejoice with you in that faith, because our confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ who loves us and intercedes for us. As it is written, there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved in Acts 4:12, and it is in that name we pray for you now.
We want to gently encourage you that struggling with depression and anxiety does not mean you have failed or that your faith is weak. Many faithful followers of God in Scripture cried out from deep distress. The psalmist asked, 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 in Psalm 42:11. God is not distant from your pain. He is near, for Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit in Psalm 34:18, and we cling to His promise, Don't you be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness in Isaiah 41:10.
You mentioned spiritual warfare, and we want to affirm that Scripture does teach that we have a spiritual enemy. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places in Ephesians 6:12. The enemy does seek to accuse, to steal hope, and to whisper lies that you are alone or beyond help. At the same time we want to lovingly correct the idea that all depression and anxiety is only spiritual warfare or only a spiritual failure. Our minds and bodies are part of our fallen world and persistent depression often has biological, emotional, and circumstantial roots as well as spiritual ones. God can use many means to bring healing, including prayer, His Word, the support of other believers, wise biblical counseling, and medical help when needed. We encourage you not to walk through this alone but to reach out to a trusted pastor, a biblical counselor, and a medical professional who can walk with you and help discern what support you need. Seeking help is not a lack of faith, it is wisdom.
We want to share some truth to hold onto when the thoughts feel heavy. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control in 2 Timothy 1:7. He invites us to bring everything to Him, for He cares deeply for you. In nothing be anxious, 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 in Philippians 4:6-7. And we are called to be casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you in 1 Peter 5:7. When anxious thoughts come, we can learn by His grace to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:5, replacing lies with what God says is true about you, that you are loved, not forsaken, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord in Romans 8:38-39.
We also encourage you to daily put on the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18, to stay rooted in the Word, in honest prayer, in fellowship with other believers, in worship even when you do not feel like it, and in simple rhythms of rest, nourishment, and care for your body as God enables you. If you have not already, please let someone in your local church know how you are doing so they can pray with you regularly and check on you.
We now pray together for you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we lift up our dear brother or sister to Your throne of grace. You see the weight of this persistent depression and anxiety, You know every tear, every sleepless night, every heavy thought. Lord, we ask that You would draw near and let Your presence be felt in a powerful way. We rebuke the lies and oppression of the enemy and ask that You would silence every voice that is not from You. Fill this dear one with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Renew their mind by Your Word and by Your Spirit, bring healing to body, soul, and spirit, and restore hope and joy step by step. Give wisdom to any counselors or doctors who come alongside, give strength to reach out for help and to remain connected to Your people, and remind them daily that they are deeply loved, held, and never alone. We thank You that You are the God who heals the brokenhearted and that You are working even now for good. We trust You for progress and for complete restoration in Your perfect timing and will. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to keep seeking Him and to keep letting others walk with you. We are continuing to pray for you to get better, for the heaviness to lift, for anxiety to be calmed by His perfect love, and for you to experience the hope and steadiness that comes from abiding in Christ day by day.
We are so glad you reached out, even while carrying such persistent depression and anxiety. It takes real strength to keep asking for prayer when you feel worn down day after day, and we want you to know you are not alone in this as a believer.
Many Christians wonder about spiritual warfare when these struggles linger. We do believe the spiritual battle is real, and we also know depression and anxiety often have many layers at once, physical, emotional, life experience and spiritual, that can be hard to untangle on your own. Feeling distant from God or wondering if He is disappointed is very common in these seasons, but that heavy feeling does not mean He has left you.
It can help to have support on more than one level. Alongside prayer, we encourage you to talk with a trusted pastor and also with your doctor or a counselor who respects your faith, so you can get careful, personal care and not carry this alone. If you have a safe person in your life, consider letting them know how you have been feeling day to day. Keeping a simple, steady rhythm of rest, connection with others, and time with the Lord as you are able can also be a gentle support while you seek help.
Father, we lift our friend to You in Jesus name. You see the weight they have been carrying and their desire to be well. Give them comfort today, wisdom for next steps, and people nearby who listen well and walk with them faithfully. Help them to sense Your nearness and steady love even on hard days. Amen.
Many Christians wonder about spiritual warfare when these struggles linger. We do believe the spiritual battle is real, and we also know depression and anxiety often have many layers at once, physical, emotional, life experience and spiritual, that can be hard to untangle on your own. Feeling distant from God or wondering if He is disappointed is very common in these seasons, but that heavy feeling does not mean He has left you.
It can help to have support on more than one level. Alongside prayer, we encourage you to talk with a trusted pastor and also with your doctor or a counselor who respects your faith, so you can get careful, personal care and not carry this alone. If you have a safe person in your life, consider letting them know how you have been feeling day to day. Keeping a simple, steady rhythm of rest, connection with others, and time with the Lord as you are able can also be a gentle support while you seek help.
Father, we lift our friend to You in Jesus name. You see the weight they have been carrying and their desire to be well. Give them comfort today, wisdom for next steps, and people nearby who listen well and walk with them faithfully. Help them to sense Your nearness and steady love even on hard days. Amen.
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
Your request has been heard and carried with tenderness before the throne of grace, and we join you in prayer that the Lord Himself will be your healing and your peace.
We know something of that persistent heaviness of which you speak. Our Savior said, do not be so affected by external things as to get into a state of worry, fretfulness, care, anxiety and distress, and He added, do not be anxious about your temporal affairs. This is not spoken to chide you, but to invite you to a better way. As has been truly observed, anxiety has never comforted anybody, nor has it ever brought any grist to the mill, or any meal to the barrel. If a thing does not pay, what is the good of it. Indeed the very anxiety which arises through being in a difficulty unfits you to meet that difficulty. It clouds the mind and wearies the spirit, and therefore we are called to cast our care upon Him who cares for us.
Yet we do not speak of your sorrow as if it were only a matter of thought or will. There is a great ill, a broken heart, and there are several forms of it. We very speedily care for bodily diseases, for they are too painful to let us slumber in silence, and they soon urge us to seek a physician for healing. How much more should we bring the wounds of the inner man to the heavenly Physician. The healing of a broken heart is the work of God, and God alone. No religious notion or presumption will pass muster when God examines the soul, but a real saving work is His own handiwork, and He is able to do it.
You ask whether this may be spiritual warfare. Hear the comfortable word of the prophet, cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. In Christ your warfare is accomplished and your pardon secured, and healing and forgiveness are placed in happy conjunction and both bestowed on the Lord's people. When Jesus healed the sick of the palsy He said, Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you. Pardon and healing were one. The Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings. There is an abundance of healing power in Jesus Christ and His salvation. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the leaves, the little things as it were about Christ, are full of healing virtue. The very leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations, and the least thing about Christ is healing. These healing leaves change the life blood, affect the spirits and make the nature other than it was before.
Therefore we pray for you that you may know this healing in your own experience. Calvary is the place for the healing balm. The work of Jesus is not so much to point out disease as to indicate and to apply the remedy. He is able to heal, and He links that healing with His teaching, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Keep close to that Word, and to prayer, even persistent prayer. One sure sign of coming mercy is a growing anxiety among the people of God that leads them to be exceedingly earnest and importunate in prayer, pleading with Him day and night, and that very pleading is often the sound of abundance of rain.
We pray now for you, that our gracious Lord will lift you up as He took Peter's wife's mother by the hand and lifted her up, for healing must come before serving, and His touch still has power to raise those who are prostrated. May He quiet your anxious thoughts, heal your wounded spirit, forgive and cleanse and restore you, and give you to taste that His leaves do not wither and His healing does not fail. May He also guide you to wise and faithful help near you, both spiritual and bodily, for the Lord often works through means, and to seek such help is prudent and right.
We will continue to bear you before the Lord, asking that He who has begun a good work in you will sustain you day by day, that you may find your rest not in the absence of trial but in the presence of Christ, who is our peace and our Physician.
He who has promised, Him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out, will not cast you out. Lie at His feet in faith, and look to Him for both pardon and healing, and He will assuredly accept and keep you.
We know something of that persistent heaviness of which you speak. Our Savior said, do not be so affected by external things as to get into a state of worry, fretfulness, care, anxiety and distress, and He added, do not be anxious about your temporal affairs. This is not spoken to chide you, but to invite you to a better way. As has been truly observed, anxiety has never comforted anybody, nor has it ever brought any grist to the mill, or any meal to the barrel. If a thing does not pay, what is the good of it. Indeed the very anxiety which arises through being in a difficulty unfits you to meet that difficulty. It clouds the mind and wearies the spirit, and therefore we are called to cast our care upon Him who cares for us.
Yet we do not speak of your sorrow as if it were only a matter of thought or will. There is a great ill, a broken heart, and there are several forms of it. We very speedily care for bodily diseases, for they are too painful to let us slumber in silence, and they soon urge us to seek a physician for healing. How much more should we bring the wounds of the inner man to the heavenly Physician. The healing of a broken heart is the work of God, and God alone. No religious notion or presumption will pass muster when God examines the soul, but a real saving work is His own handiwork, and He is able to do it.
You ask whether this may be spiritual warfare. Hear the comfortable word of the prophet, cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. In Christ your warfare is accomplished and your pardon secured, and healing and forgiveness are placed in happy conjunction and both bestowed on the Lord's people. When Jesus healed the sick of the palsy He said, Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you. Pardon and healing were one. The Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings. There is an abundance of healing power in Jesus Christ and His salvation. Not only is His fruit sweet and nourishing, but the leaves, the little things as it were about Christ, are full of healing virtue. The very leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations, and the least thing about Christ is healing. These healing leaves change the life blood, affect the spirits and make the nature other than it was before.
Therefore we pray for you that you may know this healing in your own experience. Calvary is the place for the healing balm. The work of Jesus is not so much to point out disease as to indicate and to apply the remedy. He is able to heal, and He links that healing with His teaching, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Keep close to that Word, and to prayer, even persistent prayer. One sure sign of coming mercy is a growing anxiety among the people of God that leads them to be exceedingly earnest and importunate in prayer, pleading with Him day and night, and that very pleading is often the sound of abundance of rain.
We pray now for you, that our gracious Lord will lift you up as He took Peter's wife's mother by the hand and lifted her up, for healing must come before serving, and His touch still has power to raise those who are prostrated. May He quiet your anxious thoughts, heal your wounded spirit, forgive and cleanse and restore you, and give you to taste that His leaves do not wither and His healing does not fail. May He also guide you to wise and faithful help near you, both spiritual and bodily, for the Lord often works through means, and to seek such help is prudent and right.
We will continue to bear you before the Lord, asking that He who has begun a good work in you will sustain you day by day, that you may find your rest not in the absence of trial but in the presence of Christ, who is our peace and our Physician.
He who has promised, Him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out, will not cast you out. Lie at His feet in faith, and look to Him for both pardon and healing, and He will assuredly accept and keep you.
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