Prayer To Combat the Wearying Effects of the Ongoing Pandemic Pressures

 As we’ve said with some other issues, certain topics are important enough to bring back into focus on a regular basis and overcoming depression and despondency is one of those.

The longer the pandemic goes on the more wearying it is for all of us and particularly for those who struggle with depression.  Actually, it sometimes those who are most used to being cheerful and energetic and optimistic who are challenged most by feelings of being down or without energy, listless and not seeing clearly a good future.  We’re not used to this kind of condition and don’t quite know how to deal with it. 

We all experience times in life when, for various reasons, we are feeling down and this season of the pandemic with all it’s additional pressures and changes in social interaction, seasons of unemployment for many -– just to name a few – these are just some of the burdens that weigh us down.  Unfortunately it’s not only the challenges themselves but it is also the work of Satan will try to use any of this and all of this for evil against us.   Satan seeks to fill our minds with negative thoughts and emotions.  He is a discourager.  He is the giver of despair and he wants to pull us down and keep us down. 

But Jesus is our encourager.  He knows our weaknesses.  He gives strength to the weary and helps us break out of dark times. 

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:14

Let’s pray today and find God’s help in this time of need.

Lord Jesus, thank you for Your power and Your promise to bring us out of darkness, out of the shadow of death, and break our chains in pieces.  You know the darkness and discouragement in our minds and hearts that comes like shadows or even storms and we find it so difficult to break through.  We can’t do it on our own but You can do it in us and so we bring ourselves to Your care today.

Many people are suffering—crushed by the weight of their troubles. But the Lord is a refuge for them, a safe place they can run to.  Psalm 9:9

So God, in these times when we feel down by the burdens and pressures of daily life during this pandemic we want to come to You for help.  Part of that help we ask for is strength to reject the lies of the evil one and believe the promise You make to us.  We do trust Your promise that when we seek You we will find Your wisdom and strength to help us.  You are our tender and caring God and You, right now, are inviting us to come to You and find rest for our minds and hearts as well as for our bodies.

When we feel low today we will not withdraw and believe there is no solution in sight or no source of comfort and strength to draw on.  Rather, we will allow these feelings to draw us close to Your loving heart, God.  We won’t push away Your comfort but we will allow You to embrace us, comfort us, strengthen us, and help us get through the challenging times.

Lord, we recognize that it is normal to feel disappointed and even frustrated in these very strange times of the pandemic.  With lots of time alone with our thoughts we even find that memories make us feel sad.  But, with Your help God, and for our own well-being we will not stay sad. We won’t give Satan an open door to push his way into our lives, so our sadness becomes discouragement, then disillusionment, then depression, ending in despair. 

We appreciate the hope we are pointed to in your word when we read: 

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 

Psalm 30:5b; Isaiah 9:2

We’re so glad, Lord Jesus, that You came to earth to die in our place, so we would have freedom to live life to the full.  You’ve warned us about Satan’s strategy to steal the joy that living life with You brings.  Today, we don’t want to just know that as a fact but  also to be intentional about staying focused on the principles for life given in Your Word.  We trust You that You will help us live in victory over depression caused by our troubling circumstances. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

We need Your strength and comfort to see us through this day. We choose to fix my eyes on You and not on our problems.  We rest in your presence and trust in your strength to get us through today.  Thank you that you care for us and working for good in everything that concern us. We choose today to give our will and our life over to Your care.  Amen