Youth Week of Prayer

2024

Facing
Depression
In your City
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

Facing
Depression
In your City
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
He drew me up from the
pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a
rock, making my steps
secure.

Psalm 40:2
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
Let's meet Ana, a young woman who
has lived her entire life in the city.
She loves everything exciting and
vibrant that urban life offers: the
culture, the food, and the job
opportunities. But lately, something
isn't right.
The activities that used to excite her
and the fulfilling social relationships
now seem tired and meaningless.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

About a year ago, Ana started

feeling a profound sadness that
wouldn't go away. She would wake
up in the morning feeling
exhausted, even though she had
spent the entire night in bed. Work
became an unbearable burden, and
she struggled to concentrate on
tasks she used to enjoy.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

Furthermore, Ana noticed changes

in her appetite. Sometimes, she
would overeat to try to fill an
emotional void, while at other
times, she had little appetite and
was losing weight. Sleep became a
constant battle as she fought against
insomnia and woke up in the middle
of the night with negative thoughts.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
The Problem of Depression
Depression is like a dark cloud that
doesn't easily dissipate and can
affect anyone, young people like you
and me. It can make you feel sad,
and disinterested in things you used
to enjoy, and it can make you feel
guilty or worthless. It can also affect
your sleep and appetite, leaving you
with little energy.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
Types of Depression
 Situational Depression:
This occurs due to stressful situations like
the loss of a loved one or financial
problems. It may disappear once the
situation improves.
 Seasonal Depression:
Some people feel sadness at certain times
of the year, such as in winter when there is
less sunlight.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
Types of Depression
 Melancholic Depression:
Here, symptoms are severe. You would feel
disinterested in all activities, lose a lot of
weight, could be agitated or very slow, and feel
guilty.
 Psychotic Depression: This is even more
complicated, with hallucinations (seeing or
hearing things that don't exist) or delusions
(false and fixed beliefs). This adds an additional
layer of complexity to the illness.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

Types of Depression
 Major Depressive Disorder: This
is the most common form, where
deep sadness, lack of interest in
things, changes in appetite and
sleep, and other symptoms affect
daily life.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

Cities can be a breeding ground

for depression due to stress,
lack of contact with nature,
pollution, and other reasons,
like our topic yesterday,
loneliness. These factors can
affect many people in urban
environments, and it's essential
to be aware of how they impact
our mental health.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

Depression affects both youth

and adults. According to
statistical reports, more than
20% of teenagers worldwide
suffer from mental disorders.
 Youth Week of Prayer
Depression in the Bible 2024

Although we often associate

depression with modern medical
science, its roots are found in the
ancient past, even in biblical
accounts.
The Bible has episodes of revered
figures who faced moments of deep
sadness and despair.
 Youth Week of Prayer
David: 2024

A Man After God's Own Heart

David, known as a "man after God's own
heart," experienced periods of deep
sadness and distress. His Psalms are a
touching testimony to his emotional
struggles. In Psalm 42, David writes,
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why
so disturbed within me? Put your hope in
God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior
and my God"

Psalm 42:11, adaptation

 Youth Week of Prayer
Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet 2024

Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet,"

is another biblical example of someone who
experienced profound sadness. His book,
the Book of Lamentations, is filled with
expressions of pain and anguish over the
calamities he witnessed. Amid his suffering,
Jeremiah writes, "But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: The steadfast
love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies
never come to an end"

(Lamentations 3:21, adaptation

 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
Elijah: A Prophet Exhausted
The prophet Elijah is another biblical
character who faced depression. After a
great victory over the prophets of Baal,
Elijah felt overwhelmed by exhaustion
and fear and wished for death. However,
in his desperation, he experienced a
special connection with God through a
gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).
 Youth Week of Prayer
The Path to Overcoming Depression 2024

 Prayer and Seeking God's Presence:

Prayer can be a way to find comfort, hope,
and strength during depression.
 Community and Spiritual Support:
Interaction with other believers and the
support of the Christian community can be
crucial. Participating in a congregation,
support group, or faith community can
provide a sense of belonging and emotional
support.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
The Path to Overcoming Depression
 Reading and Meditating on Scripture:
Reading the Bible and meditating on passages
that deal with hope, strength, and overcoming
challenges can be helpful.
 Seeking Christian Counseling:
A Christian counselor or pastor trained in
counseling can provide spiritual and emotional
guidance specific to depression from a biblical
perspective.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
The Path to Overcoming Depression
 Practicing Forgiveness and
Gratitude: Learning to forgive
others and oneself can be a
liberating process.
 Avoiding Isolation:
Actively seeking the company of
friends and loved ones in the faith
can be beneficial.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
The Path to Overcoming Depression
 Seeking Professional Help When
Necessary: Depression is a real illness,
and in many cases, professional
treatment such as therapy or medication
is needed.
 Embracing God's Grace and Love:
Remembering God's love and grace can
help alleviate the guilt or shame
associated with depression.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

There are thousands of

young people and adults in
your city struggling with
depression. It's time to
offer them hope. It's time
to tell them that God has
the power to lift them out
of the pit of despair.
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024
The devil wants nothing
more than to kill, steal and
destroy your life, BUT
God has come so that you
have an abundant life. God
wants life for you, and we
also want life for you.
Youth Week of Prayer
2024
 Youth Week of Prayer
2024

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