Beyond Blue

How to Pray When Depressed

Wednesday April 8, 2009

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I often refer to this gallery of ways you can pray when you're depressed written by Kathryn J. Hermes, F.S.P. I'm glad she gives us 10 spiritual techniques because my prayer method changes daily when I'm going through a cycle. Kathyrn writes:

When you're depressed, you may discover that the shadows and tempests of that depression alter the way you look at God and the way you believe God looks at you. When you pray, you may be unable to sit still or to keep your mind focused for more than a few moments. Everything may appear to be a huge gaping hole of silence--all so useless. God may seem to be mocking your attempts to pray. 

I know people who have gone three, five, ten years without "praying," though they were faithful to setting time aside for prayer regardless of its seeming uselessness. In the haunting darkness where all communication had gone silent, they found loneliness, boredom, frustration, anger. Were they praying? Yes.

If this is happening to you, try these forms of prayer and contemplative love.


Read the first way to pray when you're depressed.

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Comments
Grandmother
April 8, 2009 4:58 PM

I have recently lost my job, on April Fools Day. I heard it through the grape vine in the morning and to my dismay received my termination effective at 4:30 p.m. on this day. It was real devesting as I have gone through this 6 times. Each time I didn't want to leave because i had to stay for an appeal and each time I was found not guilty of the charges attached to me, so i continued working. I have a large family as i have adopted twins when they were three and now they are 14 and will be graduating this May. I also have two great grandchildren that are in my custody as i did not want them lost in the system. I pray almost every other minutes because i find it so consoling and I'm asking for your prayers with me. Remember me in your prayers so that I may cope with what is going on. Thank you

Your Name
April 12, 2009 2:13 AM

I need help in my life,it like as if everything is going wrong. The people I trusted have betrayed my trust, I cannot count on anyone anymore. I do not know who to trust anymore. It is like as if everything is going the wrong path. I wonder why? The moment I thought my life is going great the moment it change into something else that I am not accepted or happy about. Especially with my family. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you.

Your Name
April 12, 2009 12:35 PM

I too have been having a difficult time at work. While I feel lucky to have a job, I still feel like running far and fast away from the people who are making it hard to go there everyday. My challenge is not NOT praying. I pray for others, I just do not feel that I can pray for my own needs. It's like I am not deserving to ask for help. I don't know why I feel this way. I have such guilt for asking for his grace......

Your Name
April 13, 2009 9:06 AM

I need help and direction in my life as I do not know what else to do. Although i would first and foremost like to thank GOD that I still have a job being the economy, and my health. However, I just want love real true love someone to love me the way I will love them back, everytime i think there may be a possibly it just goes cold no explanations or anything I don't understand. And it's really strange because i'm not the one that pursues or is out there looking they usually cross my path give me false hope and it's over and i'm left wondering what happend and hurt. Can you please keep me in your prayers that if it is GOD's will that I may finally meet that special someone who is honest and sincere and who will treat me with love and respect? Thank You all and GOD Bless you and your families.

Your Name
April 18, 2009 9:50 AM

Im Haveing a rough Time Where I Live At, live at this address for two years.I have been slander threaten even to set my home on fire,I live in fear? My neighbors are rude intimate me all the times.I even went to the manager from day one,and he kept them living here. I dont know what else to do.Im 60 years old spanish raise in tampa fla never had I live in a place that was so dangous.im helpless?please pray for me and if you can give me advice i can use it may god be with all thank you doris fernandez

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