On 'The Darkness'

'There is unquestionably a grave danger of many becoming spiritually paralysed by depression'

Streams in the desert

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3

I love David and I love reading the Psalms. He's one of the Bible characters I relate to because I see a lot of myself in his life and his writings. Christianity is not about perfection but that despite imperfections God still loves us. I do know the feelings that come with being depressed. To be afraid to face a world that seems so full of joy while your own heart seems so full of pain. To not rejoice in the 'day the Lord has made' and all you live for is to go back to bed again and pray for sleep to take you away from reality. But there is hope and there is light. For another beauty of Christianity is the simple truth that light banishes darkness. Jesus is that light. 

It is a process. When Jesus touched the paralysed man, his healing was immediate but he had to pick up his bed and walk. He had to begin to use his legs to go to places. It does take time and a loving friend sometimes. What is a friend if you cannot entrust them with the responsibility to share your burdens with you? It helps to be busy, looking for ways to be a blessing to others. Depression puts the focus on you, service puts the focus on others. Depression is listening and believing 'satanic whispers.' Set your atmosphere aright (preaching to myself right there). The grace of God is sufficient to see you through the darkest moments of life. Weeping may endure for a night....encourage yourself in his word that joy comes in the morning. He is the Lover that is never too busy, never too tired. His love for us is renewed by the day. Lord let your light always shine in my darkness. 

There is a battle to be won, lets receive strength from on high so we can fight the good fight of faith. In Jesus name. Amen.

iPray: Day 12

A Prayer for those struggling with depression offered by Chichi

Song:

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that you’re my God,

You’re all together lovely

All together worthy

You’re all together wonderful to me.


I worship you halleluiah, halleluiah

I worship you for who you are (2x)


Father my lord, indeed I worship you for who you are, you are a father. Lord today I want to pray for the depressed, the bible says that I do not know how to pray on my own but that it is the holy spirit that helps me to pray and the word of God says that when I pray your will I can be confident that you have heard and you have answered. The word of God says that we have not because we ask not that we should ask that our joy will be full; that when we ask in your name that the father would answer that the Son be glorified. Lord I come before you asking in the name of Jesus.

I confess my sins and ask that you forgive me Lord, even as I come before you now as an intercessor may the blood of Jesus cleanse me of sin and may the accuser of brethren be silent. I thank you Lord because your word says that when we draw near to you will draw near to us, even as I draw near to you in prayer thank you because you have made yourself available to me, thank you because you are listening to me as your word says that you have not called the house of Jacob to seek you in vain.

Jeremiah 29:11 says that your plans for us are for good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope. The word of God has said that your plans for us are for good and not evil, depression is not your plan for us and it is not good for us. So in the name of Jesus Christ I resist that spirit of depression, as it is not of you, we do not receive it. Thank you for your word is Psalm 112:4 that says that when darkness overtakes the Godly, light will come bursting forth. Lord I speak this word over your children who feel overwhelmed and hopeless, that where darkness has overtaken them, your light will come bursting in, in Jesus name. Thank you Lord, because there is no negative or unpleasant situation that is permanent in the life of your child, for your word says many are the afflictions of the righteous but that the Lord delivers him from them all. That not a bone on his body will be crushed or broken, so I say in the name of Jesus Christ that you who is a deliverer will come and deliver your children from every helplessness and hopelessness, I thank you Lord because these situations that have lead to a feeling of heaviness and depression shall be altered into their favour, and shall become testimonies of your greatness in Jesus name. As Lazarus story did not end in death, their stories shall not end in death, in Jesus name. Lord let your light of deliverance come bursting in for your children in Jesus name. Set your children loose from the spirit of depression Lord in the name of Jesus, set them loose by the blood of Jesus and by your word in Jesus name. Thank you for your word in Isaiah 61, I speak over your children now that in the name of Jesus: you have given beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning and praise instead of heaviness.

Lord you know what each child is dealing with, you know the struggles, the pain, the loss, the challenge, Jehovah you said in Isaiah 61 that instead of shame and dishonour, you will give a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy, do this that you have said in Jesus name. Give unto the broken-hearted comfort and everlasting joy, in Jesus name. Lift the heaviness from their hearts and give unto them songs of praise in Jesus name. Cause people to look upon them and declare that they are a people blessed of the Lord. Make their lives enviable, cause those who weep now to laugh in the name of Jesus, those that mourn now you shall cause them to testify in the name of Jesus, you shall change their names from desolate to blessed and highly favoured in Jesus name. Cause these one’s to celebrate for your word says that though weeping endures for the night that joy comes in the morning, let their morning of joy materialize in Jesus name.

Lord I come into agreement with you concerning these children; I come into agreement with your plans for them in Jesus name. Thank you because it is not over; thank you because there is a miracle and a testimony with their names on it in Jesus name. Set them loose to your joy in the name of Jesus Christ, David said he will be filled with joy because of you, fill them up with divine joy.

The word of God says you will lead us in the best pathway for our lives, so Lord I pray that in anyway these feelings of depression have come because of wrong turns and decisions I pray that you will get your children back on the path you have pre-ordained for them to work in.

Lord I want to lift before you those who don’t know you and are dealing with depression, Lord, depression is real, it steals faith and steals lives. I pray for these ones who don’t know you, that they will find their way to you the Balm of Gilead and that in finding you they will find wholeness and healing for their hearts, souls and minds in Jesus name.

Thank you because there is an end in sight, the pain will not go on forever because you are faithful and merciful. Thank you for the good plans you have for your children, thank you for your word in Proverbs 4:18, thank you because things are getting better in Jesus name. I declare that things are getting better in Jesus name. Let our hearts be filled with your joy o God, in Jesus name. AMEN.



5 HELP TIPS:

If you or someone you care about is dealing with depression, here are some things that you can do:

Do not spend too much time alone; spend time with people who love and care about you. Spend time with people who make you laugh and smile.

Think forward, do not look back, Paul said forgetting the things behind me I press on. PRESS ON, leave the past!

Talk more with God; get personal with him as you would a friend. Don’t edit yourself with him.

Study God’s word or join a bible study group, your circumstance is a fact but God’s word is the truth. Like Abraham consider not the fact, but consider God and his word concerning you. Let his truth get inside you.

Talk to someone you trust about what you are feeling and facing, a pastor, family member, friend; Someone who can support you emotionally and in prayer.

And I am here to listen and pray with you if you want. God bless.

ChiChi
http://living-chichi.blogspot.com/