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Prayer for help with depression


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Prayer for depression - Orthodox magazine "Foma"

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Prayer for depression - is there such a thing? Does prayer help in this condition? This is a question asked by many who are faced with a similar problem. First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between despondency, depressive mood and, in fact, depression - one of the most common mental illnesses. Depression brings a lot of suffering to a person: according to WHO, it is the main cause of disability in the world. For more information about whether there are prayers that help against depression, and how depression and despondency are connected, we asked Priest Viktor Nikishov and Priest Maxim Brazhnikov to tell.

Depression “just happens” and it is important to get help in time. On the Religious Crisis in Depression

Priest Maxim Brazhnikov, press secretary of the Orsk diocese, rector of the Kazan parish in Orsk

Depression, which is a mental disorder, should not be confused with the sin of despondency. It's not the same at all.

There are different types of depression. Sometimes a spiritual state can provoke a disease, but more often these are external factors - fatigue, a change in the rhythm of life, severe shocks. We must remember: a person is not to blame for what happens to him. Like any disease that befalls us, depression just happens, and here it is important to come to the rescue in time.

Sometimes a depressed person experiences a religious crisis. He does not have the desire and strength to pray, he may still have some questions for the Lord, but he does not ask them, because the disease does not allow it. If the priest notices signs of depression, it is best to refer the person to a specialist. If the disease is neglected, it can even lead to suicide. Of course, tact is needed in this matter, because psychotherapy and psychiatry are not always honored in our country. Cases when depression and despondency were confused ended very sadly - the patient could fall into a pathological state, but consider it a punishment for sins.

As for despondency, this sin can be expressed not in depressive, but, on the contrary, in choleric states, when a person actively splashes out his negativity and bile on those around him. With despondency, unlike depression, there is no pathological vegetative state, when a person lies facing the wall, suffers from the “empty head” syndrome and the like.

There are such stages of depression when it is impossible to think about anything, including God. But if the physical condition allows, and if there is a need for prayer, I advise you to turn to God in your own words. It is worth saying everything that you feel, that you want to say and hope to hear. It is important not to keep your condition in yourself, to be open before God and to believe that one way or another He will give an answer.

Depression and despondency can accompany each other

Priest Viktor Nikishov Head of the Youth Department of the Mogilev diocese, cleric of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Mogilev the first is sin, a spiritual problem, and the second is sickness. Depression can be endogenous (caused by physiological causes, metabolic disorders) and reactive (the reaction of the psyche to some negative event, for example, the death of a loved one or loss of a job). Somatogenic depressions are also distinguished, which manifest themselves as a result of somatic diseases (Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain, traumatic brain injury, or even influenza).

Of course, depression can be accompanied by despondency, sadness, and other sinful conditions. But it is useless and dangerous to fight endogenous or severe reactive depression only by "fasting and prayer": a psychiatrist and medicines are needed here.

However, work and joy traditionally play an important role in the complex treatment of depression. And all this is in prayer! Prayer is a work that we force ourselves to (you need to set aside time, get up, read thoughtfully), but at the same time, it is the joy that communion with the Lord brings. We understand that we ourselves can change little, and then we put our hope in God and rejoice, because everything is possible for Him.

In a state of despondency or depression, it is good to read akathists. The word “Rejoice!” constantly repeated in them, addressed to the saints or the Mother of God, will cheer us up. In addition, akathists often tell stories about how the Creator helped in a given situation. Reading the Penitential Canon can also help if we do not focus on our sins, but “put an end to them” and decide to start a new life full of joy, together with God. And, of course, you can turn to the saints with a request to intercede for us before the Lord. The main thing is to pray with faith, hope, consciously, but which particular text to choose is not so important.

The book of Wisdom of Jesus, the son of Sirach, says: “My son! In your illness, do not be careless, but pray to the Lord, and He will heal you. Leave the sinful life and straighten your hands, and cleanse your heart from every sin... And give place to the doctor, for the Lord created him, and let him not depart from you, for he is also needed” (Sir. 38: 9-12)

In depression, no matter how hard it is, it is important to ask the Lord for help - you can pray not only for healing or alleviating suffering, but also for a meeting with a good doctor.

Prayer from the works of St. Dimitry Rostovsky

God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of bounty and God of all comfort, comforting us in all our sorrow! Comfort every one who is grieving, saddened, in despair, overwhelmed by the spirit of despondency. After all, every person was created by Your hands, wise in wisdom, exalted by Your right hand, glorified by Your goodness ... But now we are visited by Your Fatherly punishment, short-term sorrows! “You compassionately punish those you love, and you show mercy generously and look down on their tears!” So, having punished, have mercy and quench our sorrow; turn sorrow into joy and dissolve our sorrow with joy; Surprise us with Your mercy, wonderful in the advice of the Lord, incomprehensible in the destinies of the Lord, and blessed in Your deeds forever, amen.

Prayer for deliverance from despondency, St. John of Kronstadt

The Lord is the destruction of my despondency and the revival of my boldness. Everything for me is the Lord. Oh, truly this Lord, glory to Thee! Glory to Thee, Life of the Father, Life of the Son, Life of the Holy Soul - a Simple Being - God, ever delivering us from spiritual death, caused by passions to our soul. Glory to Thee, Trinitarian Master, as if from one invocation of Thy name You enlighten the gloomy face of our soul and body and grant Thy peace, which surpasses all earthly and sensual goodness and all understanding.

Akathist text

Related articles in Thomas:

Depression. What to do with the spirit of despondency?

I am in a terrible depression. How to live on?

How to get out of depression?

How to save yourself when you are depressed?

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Prayer for despondency and depression, despair and longing

Reading a prayer is not a “cure for all diseases”, but it is important to turn to the Lord.

Contents of the article

  • Why read prayers out of despondency?
  • Prayer for despondency St. John of Kronstadt
  • Psalm 26
  • Psalm 101
  • Prayer from the despondency of the Mother of God before the icon “Assuage my sorrows”
  • Prayer from the despondency of the Mother of God before the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow”

Why read prayers out of despondency?

A person is often seized with despondency, and the stronger it is, because for an Orthodox believer despondency is a sin. However, “despondency” is too general a concept, behind which many things can be hidden, including depression, a serious illness that requires the intervention of a specialist. A Christian, feeling despondent and heavy sadness, can turn to his confessor. Does not cancel it and treatment at the psychiatrist. Whatever the explanation for this painful state, a prayer from despondency, an appeal to the Lord always comes to the rescue in difficult times.

It would be a mistake to think that prayer works as a cure for all diseases, but sincere words addressed to Heavenly Father will never go unanswered. Reading a prayer from despondency, we ask you to strengthen us in the fight against sin or a disease that has struck us, to grant salvation.

Against worldly worries, Christians have great joy - Christ, who gave his life for us on the Cross. Prayer distracts from disturbing thoughts and helps to remember the main thing - the immortal soul of man. If you are overcome by despondency, pray and turn to the Lord, with God's help any sorrow can be overcome.

Prayer for despondency St. John of Kronstadt

The Lord is the destruction of my despondency and the quickening of my boldness. Everything for me is the Lord. Oh, truly this Lord, glory to Thee! Glory to Thee, Life of the Father, Life of the Son, Life of the Holy Soul - a Simple Being - God, ever delivering us from spiritual death, caused by passions to our soul. Glory to Thee, Trinitarian Master, as if from one invocation of Thy name You enlighten the gloomy face of our soul and body and grant Thy peace, which surpasses all earthly and sensual goodness and all understanding.

Psalm 26

The Lord is my light and my Savior, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Defender of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Always approach me angry, even tear down my flesh that offends me, and strike down mine, you are exhausted and fallen. If the regiment takes up arms against me, my heart will not be afraid, if the battle rises up against me, I trust in Him. I asked the Lord alone, then I will seek: if we live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, see the beauty of the Lord and visit His holy temple. Like hiding me in Your village on the day of my evils, covering me in the mystery of Your village, exalt me ​​to a stone. And now, behold, lift up my head against my enemies: I went and devoured in the village His sacrifice of praise and exclamation, I will sing and sing to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, my voice, and I cried out: have mercy on me and hear me. My heart speaks to you: I will seek the Lord. My face is required of Thee; Thy face, O Lord, I will seek. Do not turn Your face away from me and do not turn away with anger from Your servant: be my helper, do not reject me, and do not leave me, O God my Savior. As my father and my mother have left me, the Lord will receive me. Set me a law, O Lord, in Your way and guide me in the right path for my enemies' sake. Do not betray me into the souls of those who are suffering from me, as if you have risen against me as a witness of iniquity and lie to yourself. I believe to see the good of the Lord in the land of the living. Be patient with the Lord, be of good cheer, and let your heart be strong, and be patient with the Lord.

Psalm 101

Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to Thee. Do not turn Your face away from me: if I mourn the day, incline Your ear to me: if I call on the day, hear me soon. As if my days had disappeared like smoke, and as if my bones had dried up. I would be wounded like grass, and my heart is gone, as if I forgot to take down my bread. From the voice of my sighing my bone clings to my flesh. Like an owl of the desert, like a nocturnal raven in the dives. Bdeh and would be like a bird specializing on the ground. All day long I reproach mine, and those who praise me swear by me. The ashes were like eating bread, and my drink was dissolved with weeping. From the face of Thy anger and Thy wrath: as thou hast exalted me, cast me down. My days have turned away like a canopy, and I have dried up like hay. But Thou, O Lord, abide forever, and Thy remembrance is unto generation and generation. Thou hast risen, have compassion on Zion, for it is time to have compassion on her, for the time has come. It is as if Thy servants are pleased with his stones, and his dust will be generous. And the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth of thy glory. For the Lord will build Zion, and will appear in His glory. Look at the prayer of the humble, and despise not their prayers. Let this be written in the next generation, and the people of the building will praise the Lord. As if from the height of His saints, the Lord looks from Heaven to earth, hear the sigh of the chained, resolve the sons of the slain, proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem. Every now and then, gather people together and the king, hedgehog work of the Lord. Answer him in the way of his strength: let me proclaim the diminution of my days. Do not raise me up at the half-time of my days: Thy years are in kind. In the beginning, O Lord, You founded the earth, and the works of Your hand are the heavens. They will perish, but you abide, and they will wear out all the robes, and I will unfold like a garment, and they will be changed. Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. The sons of Thy servants shall dwell, and their seed shall be restored forever.

Prayer from the despondency of the Mother of God in front of the icon “Assuage My Sorrows”

Hope to all the ends of the earth, Most Pure Virgin, Lady Theotokos, our consolation! Do not disdain us sinners, for we trust in Your mercy: quench the sinful flame that burns in us and irrigate our hearts with repentance; cleanse our mind from sinful thoughts, accept prayers, from the soul and heart with a sigh, brought to you.

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