Self or others?
Depression haunts my days (Job 30:16; NLT).
“I am nothing” (Job 40:4; NLT).
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34; NIV).
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6; NIV).
Father,
After church today,
However bad I feel about myself,
And however much I long
To escape from social contact,
Please help me
To overcome my awkwardness,
My lack of confidence,
And my miserably low self-esteem.
Help me instead
To think of others –
To notice those who look lonely,
Unwell,
Anxious,
Or depressed –
The ones who need to talk.
Then help me to approach them
With a smile,
Offering my interest,
Friendship,
Care,
And love –
As Jesus did.
In his dear name,
Amen.