15 Powerful Prayers for Depression When the Darkness is Overwhelming

While previous studies have shown nearly 1 in 12 adults report having depression, the latest reports indicate a 3-fold rise in depression symptoms in the US.  Depression can be difficult to understand as it affects people differently. You may feel numb and unable to function, you may feel a heaviness on your shoulders that's impossible to shake. Others say it feels like your heads are in the clouds and constantly looking at life as an outsider.

Christians are not immune to depression nor is the Bible silent on this stronghold. Depression is not something that just "goes away" but it is something we can fight back against through God's presence and grace. No matter the problems that you are facing that have caused the depression to surface the answer remains the same - bring it to God. Through prayer, we are able to find relief for anxiety and receive the peace of God. Jesus acknowledges and gives voice to our depression when he said "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.”

Find rest today as you take the burden of depression to God in prayer. Begin to seek God's presence - He is able to bring you peace. It can be hard to start praying when you feel anxieties rise. Sometimes it is difficult to find the words to speak anything at all. We have collected these prayers for depression to help guide and direct your thoughts. Use these and make them your own as you begin to see a light on the journey. 

A Prayer for Depression

We come to You today Lord with hearts, minds, and spirits that may be struggling to their keep heads above water.  We ask in Your Name that You give them a refuge, a glimmer of hope, and a life-saving Word of Truth.  We don’t know every circumstance or situation they are facing, but Heavenly Father You know.

We cling to You with hope, faith and assurance that You can heal our hurt places and pull us from the dark waters of depression and despair.  We ask in Your Name that You will allow those who need help, to reach out to a friend, family member, pastor, counselor, or doctor.

We ask You to release the pride that may keep them from asking for help.  May we all find our rest, strength, and sanctuary in You.  Thank You for setting us free and giving us the glimmer of hope in living an abundantly full life in Christ. Amen. (Annah Matthews)

A Prayer for When You're in the Pit of Depression

Heavenly Father, You alone are my secret keeper and know the darkest places within my heart. Lord, I am in the pit of depression. I feel tired, overwhelmed and unworthy of Your love. Help me to truly surrender the things that keep me imprisoned inside my heart. Replace my struggle with Your joy. I want my joy back. I want to stand beside You and celebrate this life that You have paid so dearly to give me. Thank you, Lord. You truly are the greatest gift of all. Consume me in Your joy, for I believe that the Joy of YOU Father, is where my strength is found. Thank You, Lord … In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (AJ Luck)

When You're Overwhelmed

Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving us so unconditionally. Today my heart seems heavy and I’m struggling with believing that I have purpose. I’m feeling overwhelmed to the point where I feel as if I’m shutting down.

Jesus, I ask that You would strengthen me where I feel weak. Whisper words of confidence and courage deep into my soul. Enable me to do what You have called me to do. Show me the beauty within this struggle that You see. Show me Your Heart and Your Purposes. Open my eyes to see the beauty within this struggle. Give me the ability to surrender the struggle completely to You and trust You with the outcome.

You created me. You know me better than I know myself. You know my weaknesses and my capabilities. Thank You for Your Strength, Love, Wisdom and Peace during this time of my life. Amen. (AJ Luck)

A Prayer for Someone You Love Battling Depression

Heavenly Father, I come before you with a heavy heart, lifting up [Name] who is battling depression. You, O Lord, are the source of all comfort and hope, and I place [Name]'s struggles into your loving and capable hands.

Lord, depression can be a relentless and overwhelming foe, but we know that with you, nothing is impossible. I pray that you bring your healing touch upon [Name]'s mind, body, and spirit. Replace the darkness with your light, the despair with hope, and the pain with your peace.

Give [Name] the strength to seek help and support, and grant wisdom to those who are providing care and treatment. Surround [Name] with understanding and compassionate individuals who can offer love, encouragement, and comfort.

Lord, please grant [Name] the courage to face each day, even when it feels like an uphill battle. May they find moments of joy and glimpses of your love that remind them they are never alone.

In the midst of the storm, help [Name] to cling to your promises and to trust in your unwavering love. Let your presence be a constant source of strength, and may your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their heart and mind.

We know, Lord, that you are the ultimate healer and the one who can bring light into the darkest of places. We place our trust in you and ask for [Name]'s complete restoration and freedom from the grip of depression. In the name of Jesus, we pray for healing and hope. Amen.

For Deliverance in Dark Times

Father, I need your help!  I turn to you first.  My heart cries out to you, asking for your hand of deliverance and restoration to touch my life.  Guide my steps to those you have equipped and chosen to help me during this dark time.  I don't see them, Lord.  But I trust you to bring them, thanking you now for what you are already doing in the midst of this pit!  Amen. (Mary Southerland)

A Prayer for Anxiety and Depression

Heavenly Father, I come before you in my time of need, burdened by anxiety and depression. I surrender these heavy feelings to you, knowing that you are my refuge and strength.

Please grant me your peace, Lord, a peace that transcends all understanding. Help me to find solace in your presence and comfort in your love.

Fill my heart with hope and remind me that you are always with me, even in the darkest moments. Give me the strength to face each day and the courage to seek help and support when I need it.

Lord, I trust in your healing power, and I ask for relief from these burdens. May your light break through the darkness, bringing healing and restoration to my mind and spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Prayer for a Child Struggling with Depression

Gracious Father, You are trustworthy, and yet I forget that. Too often I try to work out every situation in my own thoughts without once acknowledging You. Give me the right words to help my child. Give me a heart of love and patience. Use me to remind them that You are with them, You will be their God, You will strengthen them. Remind me You will uphold them, You will be their help. Please be my help today. Be my strength today. Remind me that You have promised to love me and my children eternally — and that You will never leave us. Please let me rest and trust in You, and help me teach my kids the same. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Jessica Thompson)

A Prayer for When You Feel All Alone

Dear God, Thank you that you see us right where we are, in the midst of our pain and struggle, in the middle of our desert land. Thank you that you have not forgotten us and never will. Forgive us for not trusting you, for doubting your goodness, or not believing you’re really there. We choose to set our eyes on you today. We choose joy and peace when the whispered lies come and say that we should have no joy or peace.

Thank you that you care for us and your love over us is so great. We confess our need for you. Fill us fresh with your Spirit, renew our hearts and minds in your truth. We ask for your hope and comfort to continue to heal our hearts where they’ve been broken. Give us the courage to face another day, knowing that with you before us and behind us, we have nothing to fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Debbie McDaniel)

For Strength in the Cloud of Depression

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me!  Help me when I feel the cloud of depression settling down, to keep my focus on You.  Allow me to have glimpses of Your glory, Lord!  May I draw nearer to You each day as I spend time in prayer and in Your Word.  Please strengthen me as only You can.  Thank You, Father!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Joan Walker Hahn)

For Abundant Life

Oh Lord, I want to live the full life You came to give me, but I’m tired and overwhelmed. Thank You for meeting me right in the midst of the mess and pain and for never leaving me. Lord, help me look to You and You alone to find an abundant life, and show me that with You, life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Niki Hardy)

A Prayer for Hope

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and that Your truth sets us free — especially when we’re aching and searching and desperate for the light. Help us, Lord, to keep hold of hope and to believe in Your truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Sarah Mae)

A Prayer for Strength to Get Through the Day

Jesus, I need you. I feel like I have nothing left. I need your strength so I can live today. Help me rely on you every single moment of today. Help me keep my eyes focused on you, and not on how I am feeling. I don’t have the energy to get things done today, help me have grace with myself if not everything is accomplished. You are my hope for today. Everything that I need is in

you. I want to rely on your love so that I can love others today. My purpose is in you, and help me live that out. Amen. (Becky Weber)

A Prayer for Light in the Darkness

Dear Lord, help me trust Your love for me even when I cannot see a clear path out of my circumstances. When I find myself in the dark places of this life, show me the light of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(Melissa Maimone)

For the Empty Places

Dear Father God, today I am at the end of myself. I have tried and failed to work various situations out in my life, and returned to the same empty place each time, feeling alone and defeated. As I read Your Word, I am reminded that many of Your most faithful servants endured hardships in order to learn of Your faithfulness. Help me, Oh God, to realize that in the times of distress and confusion, You are there, just waiting for me to seek Your face. Help me Lord to choose You over myself and to have no other gods before You. My life is in Your hands. Thank You Lord for Your love, provision and protection. I realize in the dungeon circumstances of my life is where I will learn to truly depend on You. Thank You for teaching me when I come to the place You are all I have, I will truly find You are all I need.  In Jesus' name, Amen. (Dawn Neely)

Praying a Spirit of Peace Over a Troubled Mind

Lord, I know that Satan created the spirit of fear, anxiety, doubt, and worries to torture and entrap my mind and rob me of my joy, peace, and sleep. When what-ifs wake me in the dark of night, please help me to denounce Satan and remember 1 Peter 5:7 where you say internal peace is as simple as casting all my anxiety on you because you care for me.

I am comforted that you see into the depths of my heart and the intricacies of my mind where unhealthy fears dwell. You already know what’s troubling me, but you want to hear me share my concerns with you to release the stronghold grip they have on my thoughts and emotions.

Father, I trust that you don’t want me to waste a moment of my life fretting. Please calm my racing heart and fill my troubled mind with hope and my spirit with peace. Assure me that no weapon formed against me will prosper and you have a plan and a purpose for me in this time of turmoil.

Show me your ways Lord and grant me the courage to follow where you lead. Amen. (Janet Thompson)

Note - If you or a loved one struggles with anxiety, depression or any mental illness, please reach out for help! Tell someone, a friend, a spouse, or your doctor. There is help, hope and healing available for you! Do not suffer alone.  

A helpful way to fight depression is by recalling the promises and truths from God's Word. Read over, meditate, and memorize these Bible verses so you can quickly recall them when you begin to feel your thoughts spiral. Here are a few of our favorite Scriptures. You can read more at our collection of Bible verses HERE.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORDand put their trust in him. - Psalm 40:1-3

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. - 1 Peter 5:6-7

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8