How to Pray When You're Depressed

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How to Pray When You're Depressed

By Kathryn J. Hermes

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.

Find a Quiet Place

Put on some soothing music. Keep it soft and gentle. Take a few deep breaths, holding each one for a few seconds and then slowly exhaling. Relax. Feel the chair you're sitting on, your feet on the floor. Smell the scents in the room. Imagine G*D coming toward you with a smile. Tell the Almighty how you are feeling right now-anxious, uncomfortable, fidgety, distracted, wanting to focus. Tell Adoni what things are like for you today. Open your heart to G*D. Feel the Eternal One's presence very close to you. Let G*D's love into your heart. Thank G*D for this gift.

Go for a Walk

Take some pleasant music with you. As you go, notice the sky, feel the season. Recognize what is around you. Feel at home right now. Offer your heart to G*D, even if your pain is deep. Though you may be alone on your walk, the Eternal One is in your heart. Tell G*D what you see...the beauty around you. Tell Adoni how you feel...even if it is dark. Remember G*D wants you to tell everything in your life...joys and pains.

Remember Others Who Are Hurting

Call to mind someone else you know who is hurting or sick. Focus for a few minutes on what that person may be feeling, and on what you would like to say to him or her. Lift this person up by name to G*D and ask for blessings on them.

Hold On to G*D's Word

If you're feeling low, go to a quiet place and hold your Bible. Read Psalm 130 or focus on a phrase of it. Embrace how you feel, even if it's uncomfortable. Know that G*D is loving you through these moments of darkness.

Open Yourself to G*D

When you are unable to focus because your mind is racing, try to remember and pray the words, "My G*D, I love you." Open yourself to G*D's love.

Stop By Your Place of Worship

When you pass by your local church, synagogue or mosque, stop in for a few minutes. Pause and connect with the One who loves you.

This peice has been modified from one found on Belief Net. Com, to make it more inclusive. I hope it helpes.

Shalom!