Depression and prayer

[JesusistheChrist]

So today I was talking to my friends and I confessed that I was having a hard time praying. They said that it could have to do with my depression (it's gotten really bad as of late). What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it has to do with depression or something else?

When struggling to pray (I've struggled with the same myself at times), I'd suggest the following two things:

1. Listen to praise music or just praise God yourself without it.

In regard to praise, we read such things as the following in scripture:

Isaiah chapter 61

[1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
[2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

"Heaviness" or depression is oftentimes spiritual in nature ("the spirit of heaviness") and "the garment of praise" will help to lift it. Just think about King Saul for a moment. When he was being tormented by an evil spirit, he did find relief when David played his harp before him.

2. Spend some time in the Psalms.

If you can't concentrate enough to read them, then either listen to them on CD if you have the Bible on CD or you can listen to them online on the following website for free:

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/

I personally prefer the KJV reading by Max McLean, but you can choose whichever version or narrator best suits you.

Anyhow, just know that you're not alone. IOW, everyone struggles with prayer at times.

P.S.

Hey, Josh...

 

[ABMF]

Then quit playin around and lay a hand on JFSurvivor so you can actually be of help here. I'm not trying to be mean, but you haven't even so much as offered a truly encouraging word. We are supposed to encourage each other: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-12, Ephesians 4:29, Galatians 6:2 etc. There needs to be much more empathy than you are demonstrating here. Jesus suffered and wept on behalf of others, so I'm just not understanding why you seem to not even be trying to have that same empathy when Jesus should be our model.

Read back through the posts. Jesus always rebukes unbelief. What one can ask themselves is really very simple. Do want sympathy or healing? Compassion is for healing. Rebuke is for unbelief. Depression for a believer is sin. Proverbs 12. The good word is that Jesus Christ came to set the captives free. Healing can be obtained by faith in Him. Deliverence ie the casting out of demons is often times needed for freedom from these problems. Where is physical healing needed the power of the blood of Jesus is available to all who will believe.

 

[kodiak]

So today I was talking to my friends and I confessed that I was having a hard time praying. They said that it could have to do with my depression (it's gotten really bad as of late). What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it has to do with depression or something else?

You are in my prayers. Hang in there and try to think positive, you have many people, including those on here, who care about you and are praying for you.


I am not getting into an argument about this on here, but I suggest you all reread the story of job. This is not the time or place to argue about depression being or not being a sin.

 

[skylove7]

You are in my prayers. Hang in there and try to think positive, you have many people, including those on here, who care about you and are praying for you.


I am not getting into an argument about this on here, but I suggest you all reread the story of job. This is not the time or place to argue about depression being or not being a sin.

Yeah Kodiak! Amen!

 

[Angela53510]

have you looked up Gods word about what it says regarding the topic of depression?

Actually, I posted a few verses on this topic. I have yet to see YOU post a single thing but your twisted theological ramblings and kick people when they are down.

"And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, [SUP]4 [/SUP]endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. [SUP]5 [/SUP]This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

By the way, Elijah did NOT lose his ministry because he was depressed. Not sure which Bible you are reading! In fact, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah anoints a king, and God brings his successor. He prophesies Ahab's death in 1 Kings 21. He also is able to send fire on King Azahiah's 2 captains of 50 and have them consumed in 2 Kings 1 and rebuke the King for consulting false gods.

Finally, Elijah does not die, but is taken to heaven in a whirlwind. Oh yes, and he appears with Jesus at the transfiguration. Not bad for a man who supposedly "lost" his ministry! (Matt 17)

My thought is that you really have not read the Bible at all ABMF. I think you would find it significantly different than the Bible you have read in bits and pieces at your IHOP meetings.

Of course, you did sidestep my question as to where you had picked up this unbiblical theology on suffering. I am willing to stand corrected if it is not IHOP, but some other unbiblical group.

 

[JesusistheChrist]

So today I was talking to my friends and I confessed that I was having a hard time praying. They said that it could have to do with my depression (it's gotten really bad as of late). What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it has to do with depression or something else?

I hope that I'm not out of line by saying this, but your posts have always encouraged me in that I've always found a childlike (not meant in a derogatory manner, but in a positive manner) sincerity in them and even moreso now that I've read your testimony and have some idea of what you've had to endure in your life.

Anyhow, I'm not saying this to just cheer you up or to flatter you, but I'm simply just being honest.

Thanks for being a part of this forum. Your participation here definitely makes it a better place.

Good night.

 

[ABMF]

Actually, I posted a few verses on this topic. I have yet to see YOU post a single thing but your twisted theological ramblings and kick people when they are down.

"And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, [SUP]4 [/SUP]endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. [SUP]5 [/SUP]This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

By the way, Elijah did NOT lose his ministry because he was depressed. Not sure which Bible you are reading! In fact, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah anoints a king, and God brings his successor. He prophesies Ahab's death in 1 Kings 21. He also is able to send fire on King Azahiah's 2 captains of 50 and have them consumed in 2 Kings 1 and rebuke the King for consulting false gods.

Finally, Elijah does not die, but is taken to heaven in a whirlwind. Oh yes, and he appears with Jesus at the transfiguration. Not bad for a man who supposedly "lost" his ministry! (Matt 17)

My thought is that you really have not read the Bible at all ABMF. I think you would find it significantly different than the Bible you have read in bits and pieces at your IHOP meetings.

Of course, you did sidestep my question as to where you had picked up this unbiblical theology on suffering. I am willing to stand corrected if it is not IHOP, but some other unbiblical group.

1 Kings 19 King James Version (KJV)

19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.


new King James And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

 

[84Niner]

Sis, you know how God says in the Bible "sacrifices of praise". If all is going perfect, if it's easy to praise God, then it's not sacrifices. The other thing is that when you give sacrifices of praise, you exercize your faith in God that He is able and lovingkind and that He has set in movement the fix for the present situation, and this pleases God. So you stir His heart to move and act on your behalf, and help just as you trusted He would!

Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise (trial is in effect at present) into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. (God already sets in motion the plan to set them free because they praised His salvation...)

It does not have to be many words. Just be aware of the goodness of God and what He has done and is doing daily, and enjoy such thoughts...

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Joi is also spot on with Psalms... Psalms are God's hospital for the soul! They have lifted me up in so many bad moments and trials! I cannot thank enough king David for writing them. God bless and praying that you will feel better very soon.

I just have to echo what SoulWeaver mentioned about sacrifice or praises (Heb 13:15). It is quite easy to offer up our praises to the Lord when everything is wonderful and we are on the mountain top. A sacrifice of praises means that there is a cost to us. When we are under the pile and suffering through the anxieties and stress of this age and yet we still offer up our praises to Him, there is a cost attached to our praises and this becomes a sacrifice of praises.

We find ourselves not on the mountain top, but find ourselves in the valley. But no matter our condition, there is a Man in the glory! We are feeling pressured from every side, but Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father as our advocate! Praise the Lord! Praise Him! This, is the sacrifice of praises, and I hope you can enter into this kind of enjoyment of the Lord. It is the mark of one who truly knows their Lord.