first though, I am struggling with prayer requesting - why does God have us pray? I don't think it is to plead and try to change His mind about what is going on. When I read the gospels, I see how prayer can be just asking Jesus, who has the power and resources, for help.
I understand, through many years experiences, that when it seems God is slow to answer, He is working in many ways to bring more things to perfection than I could have imagined from my prayer request. That keeps me going when it is dark.
Please feel free to comment on the above - these are thoughts I wrestle with.
Current darkness: my son, age 23, is suffering from depression. We've been "treating" it with prayer and meds and counseling, both pastoral and psychological. The meds have worsened the journey - we've had the head jerking, eye-rolling side effects of one anti-psychotic (? why prescribe that for depression?), and the extreme suicidal thoughts from the anti-anxiety meds, along with cutting scratches to relieve tension. People are well-meaning, and I am so thankful for their care, concern, and prayers. Holy water has been given to me to sprinkle, prayers from the Orthodox have been offered round the clock, pentecostals have claimed deliverance from ancestral sins.
You know the thing that has helped the most? A dog. Just petting and caring for a creature that depends on him has worked some healing.
Anyway - prayers for him would be appreciated. Stuff has been coming out in counseling, he's learning new ways to think, but has trouble, a great deal of trouble, accepting positives and not constantly believing negatives (bullying in his teen years is a root). When I read scriptures, I can't help but feel kinship with those who asked Jesus for help in casting out demons. I see such imprisonment, mentally.
Praying along those lines has, I think, effected change for a bit, but he falls back. Been a roller coaster, especially with the wacky med side effects.
I guess I am asking for deliverance, wisdom, healing, health and wholeness. Thanks for praying.
Karen