How Prayer Saved Me

I have gone through some difficult times.  Mental health disorders are like a fog distorting your reality.  You know your family is there, but can’t see or hear them.  You know you should exercise, but can’t get out of bed.  You can’t remember if and what you have eaten today.  

Depression and anxiety suck the life out of you.  They leave you paralyzed, and unable to help yourself get better.  

I had a desperate moment during an episode where I turned to God.  I felt relief immediately, and I no longer felt alone or helpless.

As I continued to pray, I began to have hope.  I believed I could make my way through depression’s fog, and find my way back to my old self.

When I prayed to the Divine Mercy, an image of Jesus, I understood God has unlimited love and mercy for me.  

I needed to know that I was loved at a time when I felt alone and unworthy of love.  I learned that depression lies to you because I am never alone or unloved.  He is always there for me.

I started to reach out to my family and to be more open with them about how I was feeling. I talked to my therapist about what was happening and came up with a recovery plan.

I continued to pray every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and I continued to heal.  

I became an active church member.  I started to attend church events, and I deepened my faith.  I began to have faith and have fun, which was awesome.

Where to start

I just talked to God in the beginning.  I was too overwhelmed to pick out a prayer, so I spoke to God like He was a friend.

As I got more comfortable, I prayed the Rosary. I also began to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  My husband recommended this prayer to find God’s love. 

Please comment if you have a favorite prayer that settles you.