Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Prayer for Mental Illness, Mental Wholeness
This week has been named Mental Illness Awareness Week.
So much misinformation about mental illness. It is amazing how many affected people are excluded. Astonishing how many live with the daily stigma of shunning, being ignored, or even viciously teased.
Population studies tell us that people who are affected by mental illness are between 20 and 25 percent of the population.
What is there to do about it? What can be done about the jeering, the exclusion, the shunning? What can friends counteract such mean behavior and words? How can friends and family come alongside and do what they can? How can they promote mental wholeness—mental shalom?
Being open and honest is always good. Gently honest, and always encouraging. Even when people are dealing with the highs and lows of mania or bipolar disorder, or the dark days (and nights) of depression or anxiety.
Someone close to you may be quietly affected by mental illness. Or, one of their loved ones may be. The wonderful comic Robin Williams was affected with the disorder chronic depression. Just one of so many.
Let us pray. Healing God, we come before You in hope and prayer. We call upon You to be our comfort and encourager. We ask for understanding, both for us to understand and to be understood. We pray for troubled minds and hearts, and ask for You to give strength to all those who have lost hope. Please encourage us to come alongside of all those who suffer, whether those who are affected by mental illness or their loved ones. Thank You for caring for all of these—for the least of these. In Your loving, healing name we pray. Amen.
Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.
Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind. #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er
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