How to Pray when You're Depressed

Co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP and Nihal Shetty

Last Updated: June 30, 2022 References

When depression has sapped your energy, how can you maintain your connection to God? Depression is both a serious and common illness, and many people will experience it over the course of their lives.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.} Prayer has been shown to be an effective way to reduce the effects of depression, but it can feel difficult knowing where to begin when you’re experiencing a depressive episode.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} We’re here to walk you through some prayers to give you strength against depression and help you pray effectively even when you’re feeling weak. When things are dark, remember that God loves you and wants you to make it through.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Healing Prayers for Depression

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If you need strength against depression: “God help me for I am battling the inner demons of depression, loneliness, and hopelessness. Shine Your warm heavenly light down on me. I am in need of strength and courage. Help me to be gentle with myself whenever I regress. Give me courage and strength to move forward in my perfect way. Guide me to find peace, happiness, and contentment in myself and in life. Amen.”^{[3]
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If you’re feeling worried: “Heavenly Father: Lately I’ve been so worried about things that are out of my control. Help me to trust that you are working every little detail of my life out and that I have nothing to fear or worry about. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”^{[4]
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If your mind is racing: “Loving God: Please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me. I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night. Please bring me clarity with the light of God.”^{[5]
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If life feels dark: “O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness, and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your Presence, Your Love and Your Strength. Help us to have perfect trust, in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us. For, living close to You, we shall see Your Hand, Your Purpose, Your Will through all things.”^{[6]
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If you need guidance: “In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in You; do not let me be put to shame, not let my enemies triumph over me…Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long” (Psalm 25 1-2, 4-6).^{[7]
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- Like the rest of Psalms, this prayer is commonly attributed to David.
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If you’re looking for a classic prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).^{[8]
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- The Lord’s Prayer is the most well-known of all Christian prayers today. Reciting it can give you strength and the comfort of using a prayer you may already know well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

How to Pray When You’re Depressed

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Keep your prayer short. A short prayer can feel more manageable when depressed. A prayer that lasts under a minute, or even just a few words, can maintain your connection to God through depression. Although long sessions of prayer are a great way to calm your mind, a few words of thanks to God in the middle of the day can make prayer feel much more approachable.^{[9]
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- There is a story in the Bible about a woman with a seriously ill daughter. During her conversation with Jesus, she simply says, “Lord, help me” (Matthew 15:22-28), and her daughter’s health is restored.
- You can offer a prayer to God in a few words, such as “Lord, help me,” “Thank you, Lord,” or “I cherish you in my heart, my Lord.”
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Pray throughout the day. Frequent prayers can keep you grounded through the day. If you’re struggling to stay focused on God while depressed, start by saying a short prayer in the morning and before you go to bed. You can increase the number of prayers you say throughout the day after that.^{[10]
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- It might be helpful to set a recurring reminder on your smartphone to keep your prayers on a regular schedule.
- Some short prayers you can use throughout the day might include, “Give me strength for this day” in the morning, and “Thank you for this day” at night.
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Use a simple prayer. A prayer doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. Depression can sap much of your energy away, so if you’re not feeling up to a theological exploration of your faith, try using a simple prayer. For example, you might use a prayer like:^{[11]
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- “Father God, thank you for the breath in my lungs and another day to experience your loving kindness.”
- “O Lord, feed your people with grace, and deliver our souls from the death of sin.”
- “May God the Father bless me. May God the Son protect me. May the power of the Holy Spirit enlighten me, and forgive all my sins. Amen.”
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Have a conversation with God. A prayer can simply be an open and heartfelt conversation. Let God know that you need Him, that you trust Him, and that you are grateful for Him. Treat conversations with God as simply talking to an old friend. For example, you might say something like:^{[12]
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- “God, I know you’ve been with me my whole life, and I’m grateful to you for taking care of me. I’ve been struggling with feelings of sadness and emptiness, and need your help. I know you are always looking out for my best interest.”
- “Thank you Lord for being by my side all this time. These days have felt really dark and painful for me, and I need your light. Please continue to watch over me as I move toward brighter days ahead.”
- “I know I wouldn’t be here today with you, Jesus. Thank you. I’ve been experiencing depression recently, and I need you now more than ever. I trust and believe that you’ll continue to be here for me as I continue my journey to model your goodness.”
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Practice meditative prayer. Meditative prayer has been shown to beat symptoms of depression. Choose a verse from the Bible and spend some time meditating on Scripture. Try memorizing the verse, repeating it out loud, or rephrasing it in your own words. By focusing on the Word of God, you can calm your mind and soul.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Meditative prayer works best in a quiet, calm location. You might even try sitting outside to meditate.
- Although meditation is often linked to Eastern religious practices, it plays an important role for Christians as well.
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Pray with a loved one. Praying with someone else maintains your commitment to God. By setting aside time to pray with a friend, family member, or another person in your church community, you can schedule in a dedicated time to focus on God. Studies have shown that person-to-person prayer has positive effects on treating depression.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- The Bible tells us that prayer can be a communal activity: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
- It’s a great idea to set a regular day on which to pray with a loved one. Ask a friend something like, “Would you have time on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to pray with me?”
- If you’re in the middle of a depressive episode and can’t muster up the energy to pray by yourself, give someone you trust a call. Ask them if they’d be willing to pray with you over the phone or meet up somewhere close.
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Spend more time with your church community. Participating in godly activities is another way to serve the Lord. By volunteering with your church, you can serve others while strengthening your connection with God. Volunteering with religious causes has been shown to significantly help alleviate symptoms of depression, so try asking at your church about any available opportunities.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- The Bible tells us that serving others is one of the most meaningful ways to grow closer to God: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
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Seek help from a professional. Your pastor can help you care for your mental health and give you advice on praying effectively.^{[16]
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Research source} Depression is an illness that can be treated, so consider finding a therapist trained in Religiously Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is an approach that combines a clinically proven treatment for depression with a religious approach.
- The Bible tells us to seek out the counsel of others: “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10).
- Therapy could be a good option if you notice an increase of depressive symptoms that affect your day-to-day life.^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.}
- There's no shame in getting therapy! Plenty of people see therapists for a variety of reasons.^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.}