People afflicted with mental illness, and their loved ones, are looking for comfort, hope, understanding and peace. They may experience hopelessness, loneliness, and uncontrollable emotions. They may have thoughts of ending their life or a desire to Self-harm as a coping mechanism. "Bipolar" or manic-depressive disorder, is a diagnosis indicating extreme mood swings between severe depression and mania (high energy, giddy, compulsive decision making). Depression/anxiety may be situational or chronic. Some cases are due to chemical imbalances in the brain. Other situations may be due to feelings of guilt, bitterness, unresolved pain/trauma, or unforgiveness. Psychiatric medication may be required, however some are using chemicals to suppress difficult emotions. Yet, expecting all people with mental illness to overcome it with God alone is similar to expecting a diabetic or heart patient to avoid medication.

Pray for discernment before answering the prayer request of a person dealing with mental illness, so that you will have power to decipher the nature of the problem and respond appropriately.

Possible Things to Pray for:    

• Healing for the mind, comfort for the heart, proper response to anxious thoughts
• Wisdom for medical professionals-proper medication, therapy.
• Strength and peace for loved ones; insight for them to have empathy for the person with the mental health challenge; community support
• Forgiveness of sin, relief from guilt and shame (IF the person admits to sinful behavior that preceded the depression/anxiety).
• Deeper faith to believe God's promises of provision, protection and guidance; to trust in the character of God to know their needs. (Anxiety or depression.)
• Power for the person to voice their cares to the Lord and leave them in His capable hands
• Avoid judging them for feeling sad, ungrateful, etc. They can not just "snap out of it"; they may identify that they "shouldn't" be feeling the way they are feeling.
• Hope for God’s help, healing, deliverance, and strength.

Verses to Share:                                               

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 32:7 NIV - You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.                     

Jeremiah 17:14 NIV - Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.   

Psalm 42:11 NIV - Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.                  

Psalm 94:18-19 NIV - When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.                                       

Psalm 139:14 NIV - I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

Bible Plans:

The Overwhelmed Challenge - https://go2.lc/overwhelmedchallenge

Anchored: Through Deep Waters - https://go2.lc/anchored

Messages Series:                                                                                  

Perspective - https://go2.lc/perspective                                                          

Words to Live By - https://go2.lc/wordsmessage                                                                                        

Other Resources:                               

Faithful Counseling - https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/start/

Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Suicide Hotline (U.S.) - 1-800-273-8255.                                               

International Suicide Hotlines - http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html    

Depression, Suicide, Eating disorders: Heart Support - http://www.heartsupport.com

To Write Love on Her Arms: Help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide -  http://twloha.com/

Project Semicolon - http://www.projectsemicolon.com/

Helpful Songs:

Comforter by Amanda Lindsey Cook - https://go2.lc/comforter

Another in the Fire by Hillsong - https://go2.lc/anotherinthefire