Do you believe that God cares about the health of your mind?
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Compassionate Father,
On this world mental health awareness day,
we confess—
we don’t think about mental health the way you do.
Because you created us—
body, mind, and spirit,
and because you know our inmost being,
you understand mental affliction,
and you care for those who suffer from it.
We confess, as Christians we have often believed
that if we simply have enough faith,
we will never struggle
with anxiety, depression,
PTSD, schizophrenia,
dementia, or any other mental health disorder.
Forgive us for making other Christians feel unworthy
when they experience mental health struggles.
Forgive us for judging other Christians
who need medication to help them
in their mental health struggles.
Help us, we pray, even when we don’t understand,
to move close to the brokenhearted as Jesus did.
Help us, we pray, to help our friends
find the practical help they need
in their affliction.
Thank you for being our Great Physician
who tends to our entire being.
Thank you that you will one day heal all affliction
and make us whole.
Amen.
Read Psalm 34:17-18; Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 9:36.
An excellent resource on this topic is by Dr. Matthew S. Stanford, Grace for the Afflicted.
