Depression and prayer
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Very sorry that you are experiencing depression at such a young age. No doubt depression can cause havoc with our lives. And yes, I would say that it could effect your prayer life.
Of course I know nothing of the particulars of what you are experiencing so I will not give much advice on how to deal with it other than this. I am assuming that you are a saved christian and have some form of of a "prayer life". If you aren't saved, or not sure about that, now is the time. Make sure that you have come into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Now, going on the assumption that you are indeed saved, make sure that you yourself have a personal intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. What I mean by that is that you can go to Him often in His word and in prayer for the simple sake of getting to "know Him". Often our entire prayer life just revolves around "our needs". Yes, we should go to the Lord in prayer concerning our needs, but we should also have this kind of intimate enjoyment of the Lord for that purpose alone. It's amazing how enjoyable He is when we go to Him in this way, and this might even help with your depression.
My most precious moments with my kids is when they come to me and just want to be in my presence simply because they love me.
Of course I know nothing of the particulars of what you are experiencing so I will not give much advice on how to deal with it other than this. I am assuming that you are a saved christian and have some form of of a "prayer life". If you aren't saved, or not sure about that, now is the time. Make sure that you have come into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Now, going on the assumption that you are indeed saved, make sure that you yourself have a personal intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. What I mean by that is that you can go to Him often in His word and in prayer for the simple sake of getting to "know Him". Often our entire prayer life just revolves around "our needs". Yes, we should go to the Lord in prayer concerning our needs, but we should also have this kind of intimate enjoyment of the Lord for that purpose alone. It's amazing how enjoyable He is when we go to Him in this way, and this might even help with your depression.
My most precious moments with my kids is when they come to me and just want to be in my presence simply because they love me.
Sometimes it helps to read the Psalm aloud - especially those parts that you can relate to. Most of the time, David was praying from his heart. You might share some of his feelings. When you read aloud, say these things to God - that is prayer. If you begin doing this - it will bring other thoughts to your mind about you personally, and off you go.
It could deal with depression. It might not. When you say you are having a difficult time praying I'm not exactly sure what that means. Is it that you just don't know what to pray (say) or maybe because you are depressed you don't have the desire you'd like to have to pray? Or...
All I can say to do is just talk to God. Its kinda a coincedence you brought this up because just a couple nights ago I had to pray out loud in front of someone, I got dizzy nearly losing my breath. I just feel that my prayers are not good and that they've lately lost 'spark'. But I forget that as long as the prayer is from my heart God will accept it and He understands it better than I know what I'm trying to say myself. Just talk to God even if you jump from one topic to another, even if it is in broken sentences. I also sometimes forget God is everywhere at all times and I believe He is billions of miles away and communication is frustrating. But that isn't the case. Just pray to God regardless how it sounds as long as it is from your heart, out loud or in silence, during depression or happiness.
Praying for you in Jesus name. We are praying JFSurvivor that you get the courage, wisdom and strength you need in order to grow in the faith. We are praying that anything on your heart/mind that is bothering you will not hinder or distract you from God and over all that you remember to find peace in Jesus. Praying that you get the wisdom on your questions about prayer and how you wish to pray better.
All I can say to do is just talk to God. Its kinda a coincedence you brought this up because just a couple nights ago I had to pray out loud in front of someone, I got dizzy nearly losing my breath. I just feel that my prayers are not good and that they've lately lost 'spark'. But I forget that as long as the prayer is from my heart God will accept it and He understands it better than I know what I'm trying to say myself. Just talk to God even if you jump from one topic to another, even if it is in broken sentences. I also sometimes forget God is everywhere at all times and I believe He is billions of miles away and communication is frustrating. But that isn't the case. Just pray to God regardless how it sounds as long as it is from your heart, out loud or in silence, during depression or happiness.
Praying for you in Jesus name. We are praying JFSurvivor that you get the courage, wisdom and strength you need in order to grow in the faith. We are praying that anything on your heart/mind that is bothering you will not hinder or distract you from God and over all that you remember to find peace in Jesus. Praying that you get the wisdom on your questions about prayer and how you wish to pray better.
D
I go through depression. I have tried medications they don't work. I have tried street drugs they send u further in depression.
The only thing that works is prayer thus the advesary tries to close that pipeline. If u can't or don't feel like praying..scream thank you lord..as many times as u want might I add..but never stay to far from your knees
The only thing that works is prayer thus the advesary tries to close that pipeline. If u can't or don't feel like praying..scream thank you lord..as many times as u want might I add..but never stay to far from your knees
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.
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.
Why do you think you are having a hard time praying? You are asking other people but what about you? What are you thinking of during the time? Are you being distracted? More insight as to what is going on is needed I think.
I go and sit on a mountaintop and pray. Quite literally. This is the view from where I pray. Maybe you need to get away from your surroundings and pray much like Jesus did.
I go and sit on a mountaintop and pray. Quite literally. This is the view from where I pray. Maybe you need to get away from your surroundings and pray much like Jesus did.
A
My thoughts on the matter. Depression is sin. A Spirit of antichrist and rebellion along with many others will stop prayer. The flesh doesn't like to pray. Crucifixion of the flesh and knuckling down and obeying God is often the best solution. If that still doesn't stop the problem, take yourself through deliverence. Further personal thoughts is find out where you haven't obeyed God and fix that often times going back to the last thing He told you. Check list of if you have taken the steps to fulfill all righteousness Have you gotten born again? Have you gotten water baptized in Jesus name? Have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in new tongues? Remember you asked for personal thoughts.
B
I was having a hard time praying at one point in my life. A friend's mother suggested I write my prayers out. It was really a good thing to do for a time in terms of working through trauma and creating a dialogue with God. Another option is prayer partnership. Find someone to pray with. Over the phone, in person, even here on Christian Chat, over pm or skype. You tell him/her what you need prayers for, then the other person offers what they need prayers. Hearing another person's prayer style can help open your mind to knew possibilities when communicating with God.
One other thing, God is VERY much interested in your availability as Christian, not your understanding of what your capability is. I know these things from personal experience.
One other thing, God is VERY much interested in your availability as Christian, not your understanding of what your capability is. I know these things from personal experience.
So you must think postpartum depression, where mothers often develop this after giving birth to a child, is a sin too, correct? And if you think depression is a sin then you must surely think BiPolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are sins too, correct? Just to name a few more.
A
Your asking what I think? Based on scripture and what I have seen, yes. If one continues in it as a habitual practice, meaning like fear it may come it's what you do with it, then yes. Depression may come, but it's what you do with it. If you harbor it practice it and let it, then your responsible before God. The Bible is very clear on the issue.
And what about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? You're going to call a soldier, who probably doesn't have any legs remaining just so you and I can post on this thread, that just came from war and suffers from it just like any other soldier would from being in that type of environment, is in sin too, then? And depression "is what we do with it"? So you're implying we choose to suffer from depression? Rape victims and soldiers choose to suffer from PTSD? People choose to have BiPolar disorder?
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um, you're sooo wrong. Depression is NOT sin. Depression is NOT about rebellion, or being rebellious. It is NOT a spirit of anti-christ. Unless you've dealt with life-long depression like I have since age 12 or so, then please don't speak of something you have no valid knowlege of.. I prayed to God during my depression, and he delivered me out of it a couple of years ago, so CLEARLY he hears even the prayers of the depressed ones..
A
Your asking for exceptions that would exempt some one from obeying God's word. God doesn't give any. Your basing your example on things that don't even apply. the chances of the solider being born again Spirit filled believer are slim. PTSD is a string of demons. Seen the results of a hard core special forces guy delivered from those Devils. Jesus set him free! Amazing story really!
A
Again more assumptions. What I would suggest is that the person forgive according to Gods word go through the Holy Ghost school on healing and serve Jesus. If the nightmares continue they need deliverence as often demons come in through traumatic experiences. Seen traumatic experiences fixed by Jesus.