Depression Part 2 (the cure!)

Yesterday, in Part 1 of this blog, I discussed what depression is and how it affects sufferers. I also analyzed the various types of depression, how they develop, and how they are treated. (CLICK HERE to read Part 1.)  Based on my decades of counseling, I listed seven basic causes of depression. Today, I offer a prayer that encompasses these root issues of depression. This prayer is not a substitute for proper medical attention and appropriate therapy and medication. My purpose is to treat the spiritual nature of such overwhelming hopelessness and rejection. Before saying this prayer, I encourage you to hold a Bible and our Cross of Deliverance (if you have one). Anoint yourself in the center of your forehead with the sign of the cross, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Submit yourself to Christ (James 4:7) as you speak these words audibly or silently:

PRAYER TO BREAK THE SPIRITUAL BONDAGE OF DEPRESSION

In the name of Jesus, I ask the Holy Spirit to seek the spiritual root for my feelings of depression. I trust the Lord that I will be kept in perfect peace as my mind in centered on Him (Isaiah 26:3).  If there is any unresolved trauma in my past, I ask the Holy Spirit to go there now and heal that part of my emotions. I ask for physical healing in those part of my body which may be causing or contributing to my distress. If there are circumstances in my life which intensify my anxieties I trust God to intervene and resolve these difficulties. To what extent my depression has been influence by any form of past mistreatment, I forgive those who have wronged me to remove any bitterness in my heart. If there are any hidden, painful memories contributing to my condition, I ask the Holy Spirit to bring them forth so that I may submit them to God’s sanctifying grace. Every generational curse, resulting from the evil of my ancestors, which causes or increases my depression, I renounce, and I declare it broken by the blood of Christ. By Christ’s authority, and in the power of His name, I command that every tormenting spirit of despair, despondency, and worthlessness stop oppressing me, along with every thought of death, suicide, self-harm, and self-destruction. I also break every curse of negative responses to depression such as addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic syndrome. I claim the promise the Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the hear sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life!”