03/05/2020

Prayer Against Depression

Greetings, dear soul. I’m Amira Asmodea, and today I want to hold space for anyone walking through the heavy fog of depression. It’s a shadow that can feel endless, a desert in the heart that seems to swallow all joy and light. And while the path back to clarity may seem distant, there is a prayer—one spoken to St. Lazarus—that many have found a balm for their spirit in.

If you or someone you know struggles with feelings of deep sadness or melancholy, this prayer is a gentle invitation to ask for spiritual strength and healing. It doesn’t promise an instant cure, but rather calls upon the holy spirit to breathe light into the darkest corners inside.

Here is the prayer that so many find comforting when sadness feels overwhelming:

Lord I feel the desert in my heart, the burdens are many and I no longer have strength, sir, infuse your holy spirit, blow upon me, and carry you this depression that consumes me inside, away from me all spirit of sadness, of anguish, of exhaustion, away from all spirit of loneliness, of lack of constancy. Sir, give me a sign, that you hear me, you know sir that I love you but there are times that I find it hard to recognize, I have a sting like Paul stuck in my heart, which makes me weak, but I know sir that you will lift me from my weaknesses, that you will heal me, that you will take away all kinds of spirit that want to make me sick and make me away from you. Give me the strength of your holy spirit, enlighten me with your word, make me leave this prison, which drowns me, suffocates me. Lord bless me, heal me, sir, you who have healed the lepers, the paralytics, the blind, the sorry for me, that is why I tell you!!!! Jesus the son of David have mercy on me!!! lift me from this darkness, give me your light, give me your mercy, forgive my sins and those of my ancestors, deliver me from every depression my ancestors might have had, spend every traumatic moment of my birth, from my first years of life, heal the stages of my life. Teach me to forgive, and forgive you. Fill my empty spaces of love, with your love and your mercy, take this breath as a little and make me rise like Lazarus, take away the bandages of sadness, take her, I do not want her, give me the gift of joy, give me the gift of faith. Fill me with your spirit and nothing else, sir, fill me with your spirit and nothing else. Amen, love.

This prayer is a vivid plea for relief, light, and inner healing—spoken in moments when despair feels endless and heavy. Notice the imagery of desert and prison, of bandages of sadness—it paints the struggle with depression in tactile, heartfelt terms. It invites the spirit to blow away what weighs on the soul, and to fill the hollow places with love and mercy.

Traditionally, St. Lazarus is known in many Christian and folk traditions as a figure connected to healing and resurrection—someone who rose from death to new life. Calling upon him in this prayer is like asking for a spiritual revival within oneself, a rising from heavy shadows back into the light.

In my experience—and from many who have shared their path with me—prayer alone might not dissolve the cloud of depression overnight. But it serves as a steady companion during the slow work of healing. It plants a seed of hope, a gentle reminder that you're not alone, and that there is a current of well-being waiting to move back through your life.

How can this prayer help you?

Reciting this prayer daily can be a form of ritual cleansing, a way of asking the universe or your chosen spiritual guides to carry away the heaviness that clings to your spirit. It works as a spiritual practice to invite forgiveness—not just from others, but self-forgiveness, and even forgiving the unseen burdens passed down from ancestors, which some believe can affect our emotional well-being.

Taking a few moments with these words each day can help shift your focus away from the whirlpool of dark thoughts and gently turn your attention toward the possibility of light, mercy, and renewal. It is also a way of grounding yourself, reminding yourself that despite feeling weak or exhausted, you ask for strength and openness to healing.

Adding Your Own Touch

Many people find it meaningful to personalize prayers like this one, adding their own words or phrases that speak directly to their heart’s struggle and hope. You might whisper it quietly in the morning, or write it down and carry it with you during tough times. Lighting a candle to accompany the prayer can also create a sacred space and symbolise the light you seek.

Other gentle practices to accompany your prayer might include:

Journaling about the feelings and thoughts that arise as you pray.
Calling upon supportive herbs like lavender or chamomile, known for their calming properties.
Spending time in nature, allowing the healing effect of fresh air and green spaces to support your spirit.

Questions readers often ask about prayer and depression

Can praying replace other help for depression?: Prayer can be a meaningful supplement to other forms of care like therapy or medication, but it’s often best combined with practical support—mental health care, medicine, community, and self-care practices.
What if I don’t believe in St. Lazarus or a particular religion?: The deeper meaning behind the prayer is the call for inner strength and healing. You can adapt the words or invoke whichever figure or spirit feels supportive to you, or simply focus on the intention behind the prayer.
Is it okay to feel weak or have doubts while praying?: Absolutely. Being honest with your feelings—acknowledging your pain, weakness, or confusion—can actually deepen your spiritual journey and make space for true healing.
How long until prayer helps with depression?: Healing takes time and is often a winding journey with ups and downs. Prayer is one piece of the larger puzzle to reclaiming hope and balance.

Remember, the light you seek is already within you, flickering beneath the shadows. Sometimes, we just need help blowing away the dust so we can see it clearly again. Let this prayer be part of that gentle wind, coaxing your spirit toward healing.

If you feel overwhelmed by depression and prefer not to lean solely on medication, reading and repeating this blessing each day can be a small but meaningful step toward more clarity in your life. Pair it with self-compassion and practical support, nurturing your soul with kindness.

Thank you for sharing this moment with me. I hope this prayer brings you some peace and warmth on your journey. Keep reading, keep seeking, and remember you are never truly alone on this path.

With love,
Amira Asmodea