An estimated 21 million Americans experience some form of depression every year. It is an emotionally, physically, and spiritually depleting disease that can lead to suicide.
And so we pray this news . . .
Compassionate Healer, we acknowledge that depression is a serious mental illness. As the narrator in Barbara Kingsolver's novel The Bean Trees says:
"There is no point in treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad, saying, There now, hang on, you'll get over it. Sadness is more or less a head cold – with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer."
Today we pray for all those whose lives are drained, damaged, and debilitated by depression. May they persevere in their treatment regimen and carry hope in their hearts for a better and brighter tomorrow.
We pray that their family, friends, and neighbors will be able to empathize with their struggle, emotional pain, stress, and paranoia. May we encourage and support them in their healing efforts.
We give thanks for the strides being made in treatment programs and medication options. We appreciate the work of all the caring and brave souls who compassionately serve those afflicted with mental illness. Help us to do what we can to support those with depression.