Prayer Against Depression by St Ignatius of Loyola
O Christ Jesus
When all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and helplessness,
Give us the sense of Your Presence,
Your Love and Your Strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
In Your protecting love
And strengthening power,
So that nothing may frighten or worry us,For, living close to You,
We shall see Your Hand,
Your Purpose, Your Will, through all things.
When we’re depressed or feeling blue, this prayer from Padre Pio is a way to reach out
If you find yourself in a state of darkness, the key is "to reach."
Reflect on Peter’s fear in Matthew 14:30-31, specifically, on that moment when Peter is desperately reaching out to Our Lord—that second just before Jesus takes his hand.
It was a dark and doubt-filled moment for Peter, whose faith had faltered. It was also an intuitive response to a person physically drowning — reaching out, trying to grasp at anything to save his life.
Be assured that the Lord will take your my hand so you will not drown, read this prayer often, sometimes three times through!
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget you. You know how easily I abandon you. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak, and I need your strength, so that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for you are my life, and without you, I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for you are my light, and without you, I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear your voice and follow you. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in your company. Stay with me, Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to you. Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for you, a nest of love. Amen. ~St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Prayer After Communion
Depression is a battle, and for some of us a lifelong cross to bear. In bearing it as best we can while reaching up and out for help, we are led in to a deeper maturity of faith—which like most virtues, is not easily won.
