Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 NIV)
I’ve seen several stories recently about kids struggling with various kinds of mental illnesses. This one is a friend-of-a-friend, so I rewrote it slightly to protect their privacy. But it’s one example of how much some kids are struggling today. Will you join with me to pray for them?
Our son, “Seth,” is deeply loved, and sharing this is one of the most painful things we have ever had to do as parents.
For much of his life, Seth has navigated the challenges of autism and mental illness. Those who know him have seen his many wonderful qualities: his strong work ethic, compassionate heart, exceptional intelligence, and unique sense of humor. These qualities are part of who he truly is. In recent years, however, he has endured increasing emotional and mental struggles, including exhaustion and depression.
As his parents, we have tried to support him in every way we know how. Sadly, during this vulnerable season, he became involved in an ideology that raised serious concerns about his well-being and the safety of others. Over the past several weeks, we have watched him closely and, with encouragement from trusted friends, began looking more deeply into what was happening. What we uncovered left us feeling we had no choice but to contact the state police. Making that call was heartbreaking, but we felt it was necessary.
We are now trying to process so many conflicting emotions—relief, grief, anger, fear, and a deep longing for our son to be well. Our greatest prayer is that this difficult chapter will become a turning point, opening the door for Seth to receive the care and support he needs. We hold onto hope that he will one day find his way back to the joy, laughter, and faith that once filled his life.
Right now, we are asking our friends and family to stand with us in prayer. Please pray fervently for Seth—for his mind, his heart, his healing, and his future. Pray that the darkness and confusion surrounding him will lift, that he will once again recognize God’s voice, and that he will find his way back to the Lord who loves him.
We love our son beyond words. Even in this painful and uncertain time, we are holding onto hope and trusting God to meet Seth where he is.
With broken hearts and a desperate hope for healing,
Please keep Seth and our family in your prayers.
All Powerful God,
We come to you today grateful that you have created us as an act of your overflowing love. We praise you and do not forget that you forgive our sinsWe come before You today, grateful that You created us out of Your abundant love. We praise You and remember all Your benefits: You forgive our sins, heal our diseases, and crown us with love and compassion.
Today, we intercede for families who have loved ones struggling with mental illness. In the name of Jesus, we pray that these families will receive the love, support, and resources they need to navigate these difficult challenges. May they experience a deep awareness of Your presence as they face difficult decisions, process complicated emotions, and walk through seasons of uncertainty.
Lord, we pray that You would redeem these lives from the pit, satisfy them with Your good things, and renew their strength by Your Spirit. May Your love and compassion surround both those who are struggling and the families who walk beside them. Remind them that they are not alone and that Your mercy never fails. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.