Prayer/suggestions for my mother

My mother has long term depression which I think is coming from a lack of purpose in her life.

She is in her mid sixties and has a husband and four adult children who are mostly self-sufficient. I guess she would be called a housewife. But she hates being a housewife, and often says she wants to do something else. There's not enough housework to fill up a day, and she always says she is bored. She rarely leaves the house. She is a lovely lady who is a good listener and likes to help people.

She also has some medical issues which make walking/movement difficult, so getting a job would be difficult, and it would be hard for her to find a job at her age anyway.

Has anyone been in this situation or know someone who has?

I think she needs to contribute to something or get involved with some sort of project, maybe on the internet. But I just can't think of what that might be...

The thing that comes to mind, with the difficulty in moving, is something which she could do (albeit with transport to an office being required) is something like the Samaritans. Providing a listening service for people in despair is a really important thing to do.

I know that there is a Samaritans organisation in Australia, so perhaps she could do that, or something like it.

Does she know any crafts of skills that she could tach to others? They could come to her.

Some of the older (older than me!) people at my Church form prayer triplets, and take time to pray for people who need it, and sometimes just people generally.

I pray that your mother reaches out in some way, because she will find that the "outreach" is returned, and doubled.

Last thing - has she sought medical advice about the depression? Some times depression stops people taking action - makes them apathetic - and there's quite a lot doctors can do to break the cycle of depression and enable people to find their way again.

HiSharp,
I understand and advise.. find others to pray for and commit all to Jesus.
A christian website is a good place to start.
Jesus will take care of the rest.
Praying for your mom and all she needs in Jesus Christ is Lord.

God bless
pickles

Steve hit it exactly right. I had the same problem after my wife died. I just made a list of what I had to share, and started praying over ways to do it. Coming to CC was one of them in my case, starting my website was another. If I don not connect locally pretty soon, a move to different city is still on the table for me. Start with a list of your mother's talents, experience, and dreams from when she was young. Then be realistic about what she can/can not do. Knock on any door that makes sense and pray for the right ones to open.