7 Prayers to Lift Your Spirit When You're Struggling with Seasonal Depression

1. A Prayer to Put Our Trust in God

Isaiah 26:3-4

“You will keep him in perfect peace,
 Whose mind is stayed on You,
 Because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength”

Father God, O how I love Your Word. You fill it with promises for us who love You. Help my thoughts to remain on You, Your kindness, and Your goodness. Your Word says if I do that, You will keep me in perfect peace. That’s what I want and what I so desperately need, Lord. I do trust You in every season for my every need. I am thankful You are never distant. You even share Your personal, covenant name with me. Because I belong to Christ, I know I have everlasting strength in You. I praise You for hearing me and for loving me. I trust You, Father, with all my todays and all my tomorrows. You will be there and I will bow to You in thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name I pray with all my heart. Amen.

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2. A Prayer to Get Through a Dark Time

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

My Lord and my God,

I praise You for Who You are. You bring the rain and the snow from the clouds You bring forth. I know that above every stormy, rain-soaked and snow-filled cloud lies a bright blue sky with nothing it seems, between me and You! But I am going through a season where the clouds seem to darken and dampen my spirit. My energy is sapped and I just want to plop on my sofa and cover my head with a warm blanket. But Lord, I know, too, the rain and snow You send serve to replenish the earth with the water that brings grass and flowers and herbs and vegetables. I know everything serves You. So do the dark seasonal days of rain and snow. Set me down in a chair in front of the window that looks out upon my yard and garden. Help me to envision what comes after the dark days of winter. One day, if You will, I will look out and see a tiny bud sticking its wee head out of the snow. I might see the stunning purple of a crocus in a snowy patch of ground. And I will marvel at how You order the earth’s seasons just as You order the seasons of my life. 

I don’t know why, but You called me to Yourself for Your purposes, and I am humbled You would choose me. Help me through this season of depression and prepare me for what You will unearth, maybe even before the first crocus of late winter. Oh, what a grand promise, Father, that under the weight of cold snow lies the hope of how You will use each flower for Your glory. 

Use me Father, and as I wait for this season of darkness to end, I will wait for You to show me through Your Word and Spirit how I can bloom for you.

I praise You and I thank You in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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3. A Prayer to Feel God’s Strong Presence 

Deuteronomy 33:27

“The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
 He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
 And will say, ‘Destroy!'”

Lord God,

I feel like I’m standing here alone, facing an undefeatable foe. I’m worn out from these “blues,” and I can’t get past them. But I’m not alone, am I? The Bible tells me You are my refuge! Your everlasting arms will never let me fall! One day every enemy will be destroyed by Your very Word! Oh, Lord, I cannot wait! The last enemy is death, and You will destroy it too! For now, I will trust Your Bible and all the wondrous things You have done throughout history. You gave Your only Son and now I can live! 

But I feel like I am stuck in this depression. Will You lift me with Your everlasting arms? Will You carry me to peace and joy? Father, even as these words leave my lips, I know in my spirit You will bring me the peace I so long for and my joy that’s hidden right now will grasp Your everlasting arms in praise! Thank You, Lord, for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

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4. A Prayer to be Filled With Christ’s Perfect Peace

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

O, Lord Jesus. My heart leaps at Your words. You were just about in Your darkest hour and You told Your disciples You were leaving them Your peace. Is there anything better this side of heaven? It’s like having heaven fill our hearts to overflowing with the peace only You can give. 

Right now, my spirit grieves because I am deeply depressed. Lord Jesus, please forgive me as I wrestle with this depression. I gladly exchange this darkness for Your light, for Your peace. I don’t want to settle for anything less because only You give the best.

Thank You for coming in the flesh to save us and bring us Your blessed peace. Help me to rest in it and rejoice that You are my Savior and Lord. Help me to leave this depression behind, knowing You, on the night before You died, chose to leave Your peace with Your disciples and with us.

I am so thankful to pray all of this in Your holy name and for Your glory,

Amen

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5. A Prayer in Times of Despair

Psalm 18:2

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
 My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
 My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Father God,

When I think about You, I sometimes pass over Your almighty strength. I forget You are present as my shelter. When David wrote this psalm, he was praising You for delivering him from his enemies, including Saul. You are also my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. What You keep in Your stronghold will never be discovered or stolen by any enemy.

Depression seeks my peace right now. In a time where everyone is joyful in anticipation of the holidays, I am sitting in despair. Lord, save me from this for your use—for Your glory and for my good.

Who can snatch me from You, my stronghold of eternal power and strength? I need to remember You are enough, and You will see me through this depression—this darkness.

Shine Your light on me and in me Lord that I may come through this with greater strength, wisdom, and holiness. I know You waste nothing. Why would Your ever waste my season of desolation? I think You will cause me to love and trust You more as You pull me through. As David fought his physical enemies, so too I fight these demons of depression. You were his Rock, and You are mine! Thank You, father, for who You are and for how You are changing me even through this hard time. You are my God and I trust You.

In the mighty name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

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6. A Prayer When We Try to Face Depression Alone

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

My Lord Jesus,

I keep trying to get better. I keep trying to stand and get past this depression. I keep praying, yet I feel helpless and hopeless. But Lord, it just became so clear to me that I am trying to do it all myself! My prayers have been all about me and not about You. Please forgive me, Lord, and steady my heart to fix itself on You and Your might. I am humbled by Your goodness, Your grace, and Your mercy. My depression is nothing compared to Your might. It’s real, but You are God! In my humble state, Lord Jesus, 

I bow before You and exalt You for who You are—my Lord and my God.

I don’t want to try to do this on my own anymore. Thank You for Your perfect patience with me as I’ve wrestled with this war of depression. Lord, strike the enemy and make every battle disappear until the war is done. You are the One who stands victorious as I cast every single care upon You.

Thank You for caring for me. Thank You for loving me and keeping me in Your mighty arms, never letting go. I know I’m a hard case, but You defeat every foe because You are good and holy and kind and righteous, and oh, Lord, I can never run out of words to describe Your goodness.

Thank You for taking my cares. Please don’t let me pick them up again after I’ve cast them upon You. You alone are awesome, and I love You.

In Your precious and matchless name, I pray,

Amen

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7. A Prayer When Depression Fatigue Overwhelms Us

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Lord Jesus, I am so very tired. Each morning, I wake thinking, “Maybe this day I will be revived.” And then the depression pushes me back on my pillow and under the covers. Today I remember Your words of love for we who love You. You say we who are loaded down with cares and woes should come to You for rest. So, Lord, here I am with all my “baggage,” asking You to give me rest. I’ll exchange it all for Your easy yoke and light burden. You say You are gentle. I believe this with all my heart. And in humility You came to earth to rescue us for Your glory! 

Help me raise my arms and take Your yoke instead of my heavy load. Fill me with Your peace and energize me for kingdom work. That’s the kind of tired I’d love to have. I trust You to fulfill Your promises, my King. 

In Your mighty name I pray,

Amen

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