Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138-141, 143
Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. –Psalms 143:7
Have you ever been in this place?
King David, “The man after God’s own heart,” who wrote these words knew about depression. He probably didn’t call it depression. Depression is a term that has become a household word only in the last 40-50 years, but he certainly mentioned one of the common characteristics of depression–hopelessness:
What do you do when you’ve lost all hope?
God allowed David to go through times of depression and hopelessness. He also had David journal these times in the Psalms so that you and I can make it through our times of hopelessness.
If you are severely depressed by all means seek medical help, but for many of us following David’s example could be the missing piece in our pursuit of hope.
Here’s what David did:
1. Go to God–Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea (Psalm 143:1).
2. Tell Him exactly how you feel-My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to lie in darkness like those in the grave. I’m losing all hope; I’m paralyzed with fear (Psalms 143:3-4).
3. Remember–I remember the days of old, I ponder all Your great works and think about what You have done (Psalms 143:5).
4. Spend time worshiping God–I lift my hands to You in prayer. I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalms 143:9).
5. Update God on your Progress–Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depressions deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die (Psalms 143:7).
6. Trust God for the outcome–Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You (Psalms 143:8).
7. Ask for direction–Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you (Psalms 143:8b). May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10b).
8. Be teachable–Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God (Psalm 143:10).
9. Have the right motive–For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress (Psalms 143:11).
Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who feel hopeless tonight. Pursue them. Come close. Lord, help them to know that Your Word is their lifeline. Holy Spirit, speak to them. Give them hope. Heal their sadness. Replace it with Your joy. Lord, do it for the Glory of Your Name.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 144-145; Psalm 88-89
So Good! God bless you!
Thank You Carol! Sending those blessing your way as well!
Thank you for the posting. I so needed these words at this dark time in my life. They will be read often.
3 weeks ago my best friend told me she didnt know if she wanted to be married to me anymore. I feel hopeless. I worry about my 2 young boys and where my other half has gone on this journey in life, without me. I pray as a broken person that things will be okay for everyone.
Eric, I’m so sorry you are going through this difficult time. I too have been there. Praying that God restores your marriage. Blessings!
I feel so hopeless. My Son is Bipolar and wont get help. He has dropped out of college and is using drugs. My heart aches so much. Sometimes I feel like I cant catch my breath because the pain so so great. Please pray for my son Blake.
Stacey, as a mom of adult children, my heart goes out to you. Children bring us so much joy but when we have to sit by and watch them “seemingly” self-destruct, it can be more than we can take.
Take it to God! He knows what this feels like. His heart hurts for Blake as well.
I will be praying for Blake and for you!
my name is wilda , i’m married to my best friend , for 20 years .. for the past 3 years my husband been ill with some kind of disease call izeek send-rum , he had a mass in his long n it was removed through surgery after that he had another surgery , it was spinal cord with a massive obsess in the middle of his spine but, thank you Jesus he made it through it safe … but now he can eat , his loosing lost of weight vomitting all the time , tired, unhappy, etc… the rest is history . please i’m asking for a miracle from God … we are desperate for some much needed prayer . thank you !!!
Thank You sooooo much for this prayer me and my Friend are going well correction SHE’S going through a rough time and quite frankly can’t seem to find a way out of it.Things just aren’t going well. She’s going through a nasty Divorce he had removed ALL funds he took her car and is housing her kids she had lupus and chrones disease and is really sick. She’s been living with my family and me and taking her to the ER and covering get copays she really ALL alone and has nobody but me and my family. No money for an attorney or any legal help. Her father has alzhimers and dementia and stage 4 cancer. Her situation is heavy and complicated but I’m ALL she really has. This prayer is what I needed thank you sooooo much…
Allan
Hello there
Please pray for me and for my husband Roob, to reconcile and reunite toghether, and stop finalizing the divorce.
Please pray for us.
Thank you.
Blessings toyou all.
Hello, I just want to say Thank You for your encouraging words, right now I am at a point in my life where I feel hopeless, like God can’t hear me because of how horrible I’ve been and well,I’m going through some difficulties in life, and I really needed someone to talk to, tried reading my bible, tried praying…but I feel so far away that,it feels like He isn’t listening… I searched ‘what I should do if I feel hopeless’ and I stumbled upon this, this has made me feel much better..I pray that the Lord bless you for having this site that has encouraged me, because I really needed it…from the bottom of my heart…. Thank You
This was Awesome. And i neefed it this morning