Dear God,

We thank you for the strength, compassion and empathy you give us as we continue to embark on this journey of learning, understanding and support for one another, for mental illnesses and mental health awareness.  In the recent “Whispers from the Pews” book study, we read many heartfelt testimonies of those survivors of mental illness who fought or continue to fight for understanding from their churches.  We might have found ourselves, perhaps, thinking, has this happened to a loved one?  Has this happened to me?  We pray to you, Oh Lord, to grant us even more strength to handle words, feelings and emotions that may be filling our hearts, souls, and minds.  We pray for the victims of mental illness, for the survivors, and for those affected by it.  We pray for those that have embarked a journey of healing, yet sometimes stumble and go back to their starting line.  May the find the strength to pick themselves up and start again.  We pray for those with substance abuse problems – those who seek to mask or erase their mental anguish and pain through use of alcohol or drugs.  May they find healing in your LOVE.  Lord, we pray for those that don’t understand or don’t want to accept – that abuse doesn’t have to be seen or be physical to be so.  We pray for those that turn the other cheek and pretend that nothing has happened or that nothing is wrong when dealing with a person who has suffered physical or mental abuse from others or has been abused by one with mental illness, thus causing trauma.  We pray, Jesus, for HOPE.  Hope for those that are suffering can find solace in your LOVE.  We pray for those churches that remain silent, that they find a voice – not just whispers – but loud, resonating voices that can be heard not just by those suffering from mental illness, caregivers, families and supporters, but also by those that don’t understand that this is an illness like any other illness affecting our bodies and should be treated as such – without stigma – without judgement – without reservations.  We pray that congregations can open their hearts and minds to understand the need for awareness and action.  We pray for those that lack the resources to care for their own mental health – whether it be love and support from family or friends or church, or those lacking the knowledge and understanding of their ailment, lack of insurance, or treatment access.  Oh, how many people have suffered through the ages from the stigma and lack of understanding!  God, we pray these people have found your love in Heaven and are free of their bondage of their disease.  Free of pain.  Full of love.  We thank you, Lord Jesus, for Grace’s Mental Health Group who work to understand how we can be better members of our church and meet the mental health awareness needs in our community.  Grant us wisdom, Oh Lord, on how we can be better stewards of the love that your son Jesus Christ has poured on us to share with one another as we strive to meet our neighbors’ and our own mental health challenges – with hope, love and understanding.  We thank you for your everlasting love.

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”. Romans 5:5

In your name we pray.  Amen.