“If you are depressed, aspire to be a liturgical worshipper. If you wait until you feel motivated to worship, you might be waiting a long time…He speaks to us, especially through Scripture, and he calls us to speak with him. When we are tongue-tied, he actually gives us words to say.”
from the best books I’ve read on the topic of depression, Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Edward Welch.
Chapter 6 was one of my favorites in the book. This chapter probably explains why worship, music and praying the Scriptures are already so meaningful to me. The very bread of my life.
When you don’t feel like it? Worship.
When you have no words to speak? Speak the Name of Jesus.
When prayer seems like a distant memory? Pray Scripture.
Pray the Scriptures For Depression
Praying the very words of God has made a HUGE impact on my journey as well as transforming my prayer life. I have written several times about HOW I do it, why I do it and even have some free downloads for you on the topic.
More posts from this book
- from Chapter 4 ~ Nothing Happens Apart From His Will
- from Chapter 4 ~ Suffering Has a Purpose
- from Chapter 6 ~ The Words He Gives Us
- from Chapter 6 ~ Hope Takes Practice
- from Chapter 10 ~ Through Our Struggles
Ah, yes. Fixing our eyes on Jesus. What an important reminder.
Thanks for linking in!
Great post. I recently received similar advice from my priest. He said it doesn’t really matter how one feels about praying, one just needs to do it. Feelings come and go and sometimes actions matter more when they’re done in spite of feelings rather than because of feelings.
Thanks for sharing so much from this book, Candace. I will read it eventually! I love this quote!
Great arlicte, thank you again for writing.
Your answer was just what I needed. It’s made my day!
I read your post and wished I’d written it
That’s an ingenious way of thinking about it.
Hahahaha. I’m not too bright today. Great post!
It’s imperative that more people make this exact point.
If your articles are always this helpful, “I’ll be back.”