“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.”
(Eph. 5:13, NKJV)
The teaching of Day 953 argued that the psychological cause of depression can be traced back to a root wound, but that it is symbolically-generic, with various possible origins. The spiritual characteristic of all origins is that they are often emotional wounds that are either oppressed or repressed and from which the person never healed.
As there are so many varying possibilities of root wounds, it is almost impossible to list all of them, or even to categorise them. What one person/child experiences as traumatic, another experiences as motivation to escape from bad circumstances. Because the inner strength, psychological resistance, personality, etc is so different from person to person, it is impossible to suggest a specific treatment methodology that will work for all.
A spiritual approach to depression (which is supported by the working of the Word, the working of grace, and the working of faith WITHIN us), draws from “the working of His mighty power” (Eph. 1:19), a dynamic working of God if you have faith in “the working of God” (Col. 2:12). This approach is based on what Leanne Payne describes so aptly in her book Listening Prayer: “Prayer starts with and remains deeply rooted in the Scriptures; the revealed Word of God quickly discerns our hearts.” (p. 20). This is because God chose to renew us through his Word (James 1:18), and “put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him …” (Col. 3:10). This approach is based on CS Lewis’ prayer in his book Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer – “The prayer preceding all prayers is ‘May it be the real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to.’”
First: The therapist/counsellor and the person suffering from depression pray together, and confess that they belong to Christ in body, soul and spirit. I usually pray 1 Thess. 5:23 (ACV) – “And may the God of peace himself sanctify you thoroughly. And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Declare that body, soul and spirit “are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:23) and that everything in the body, soul and spirit is obedient to the will of God and that the person choose to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12).
Second: Pray and ask God to send the Holy Spirit to search through the heart of the person suffering from depression, and ask that He “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:27) during the session. Also ask that the Holy Spirit will release the gifts of a word of wisdom and knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8), as well as “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph. 1:17), and whatever may be needed to expose a broken heart (Jer. 23:9, Prov. 15:11), as well as bringing into the light all that remains in darkness (Eph. 5:13).
As God’s part of the contract, it is perhaps apt to read Isa. 45:1b-3. If God had promised this to the heathen king Cyrus four hundred years before his birth, how much more so is this valid for his own children (Matt 7:11)! He says to you: “To open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name …’” Proclaim that it is God who heals you (Deut. 32:39). The apocryphal book The Wisdom of Solomon 16:12 states: “Thy word, O Lord, … healeth all things.”
Third: Have the depressed person declare that he/she believes what has just been spoken – Rom. 10:10 – “for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”, so that he/she may also be “sanctified in the truth” (John 17:19).
Fourth: Referring to The Lord’s Prayer Samuel J. Mikolaski (Ed.), makes this important remark in his book The Creative Theology of P.T. Forsyth: “If we first hallow God’s Name … we are delivered from all evil, and all things are ours.” (pp. 55-56)! Based on your authority in Christ you can command all impure spirits within the person. Say: “I command you, come out of him and enter him no more.” (Mark. 9:25). Seal him/her with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13).
Fifth: Start speaking to the person about his/her history, and specifically about things that he/she experienced as possible traumatic experiences and/or wounds. Ask questions as the past is revealed and discussed, and trust the Holy Spirit that you will ask the correct questions. Make notes of what you as therapist considers to be wounds. Wait for guidance from the Holy Spirit through a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, possibly a vision, or even a prompt in your spirit. In case it is necessary, accompany the person to the womb and early childhood to bring certain experiences from the subconscious to the fore. It is astounding how the Holy Spirit allows hidden and repressed experiences and memories to come to the surface, especially those that have been blocked by our psychological defence mechanisms. Try to identify all the root wounds and name them.
This step is often very emotional, or incoherent, as if the person suffering from depression relives the trauma. At times the person in therapy can curl into a foetal position, and may shiver, shout, groan, curse, puke, experience flatulence or anxiety. Do not stop this process, but pray throughout that God will assist the patient. Never allow the person being treated to lose contact with reality, or move into a type of subconscious trance.
Sixth: Once the root wounds have been identified and brought to light in prayer, pray that the light will make it manifest (Eph. 5:13). This is the great secret to being freed of depression. The therapist should now accompany the person being counselled in forgiving and setting free all who may have caused these root wounds. The principle is simple: “And whenever you stand praying, ‘if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your tresspasses.” (Mark 11:25-26). Becoming free of depression is 100% linked to forgiving those who hurt the victim.
In the seventh and last place: Ask God to heal all memories. Again seal the person with the Holy Spirit, and ask Phil. 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. In conclusion I usually pray the following three blessings over the person, in the Name of Jesus Christ, He who came in the flesh (1 John 4:3):
- 15:13 – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- 1 Peter 5:10 – “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
- Acts 20:32: “So now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
- Selah: Internalise the healing process.
- Read: 2 Kings 5-11.
- Memorise: Most of the Scriptures in this teaching.
- For a more in-depth understanding: Read any of the books mentioned in the teaching.
