Life is a wonderful thing. From the moment that we are conceived, we are presented with multitudes of possibilities that could happen to us. We cry our hearts out upon leaving our mother’s womb, which is a definite sign of life. As we grow older, we experience life as it is: raw, unfiltered, and unique to every individual. The uniqueness of our experiences finds value around the people whom we spend our lives with. It could be with our family members, with our circles of friends and acquaintances, with our special someone or better half. Or simply with the people we encounter every day. Each passing moment we spend with them becomes a treasured moment where we grow in our knowledge about them and in our greater understanding of ourselves.
And yet, life is not always easy. Experiencing broken relationships, losing the job we have, being forced to move out from a familiar place, or even feeling alone are some of the trials and challenges that we face in our lives. This feeling of sadness can seep through our minds and affect our lives unknowingly. This is why, through this prayer for suicidal thoughts, we recognize the roots of sadness, despair, or depression which affects us in many ways. Through the aid of the Holy Spirit, we ask the grace to discern whom to listen to, whom to confide with, and whom to trust. Ultimately, we entrust in prayer all our feelings and concern to our Father, who is the author of Life. Let us be sensitive and aware of the presence of Christ as we offer this simple prayer.
Prayer against suicidal thoughts
Our Father, the great author of life, You have blessed me with a life so precious and so unique. When I was being formed within my mother’s womb, Your providential love allowed me to grow healthy. I may have been mischievous as a kid, but You remained by my side. You have sent me Your guardian angels to protect and guide me away from harm. Through Your abounding grace, You have given me thoughtful and caring parents who constantly strive to provide for my needs. You have given me kind brothers and sisters who became my inspiration and source of strength. You even gave me friends whom I deeply treasure and adore. My life shared with them made me realize its beauty and unpredictability. It kept me awestruck by how You continue to make marvels with every life decision that I make. Be my surety.
O Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, when You were breathed into my nostrils, I became a living testament of God’s comforting love and loving presence. My body was filled with vigor, and my mind was filled with Your inspiration every time I experienced and lived life to the fullest. You have faithfully guided me throughout the different crossroads of my life. You have supplied me with Your infinite wisdom in my relationship with the people around me. Your truth shielded me from the lies and deceptions of the evil one. But because of my human frailty and the tremendous difficulties of modern life. I often fall into the pit of despair and am caught by the snares of the devil. I humbly ask You to inspire me and govern my actions toward cooperating and fulfilling God’s plan in my life. Be my guide.
Dear Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, You experienced everything we experienced but sin. You expressed Your anger towards the malicious merchants surrounding the temple. You cried when You visited the wake of Your dead friend, Lazarus. You wept for the city of Jerusalem for her sins. You anguished in the garden of Gethsemane from the heavy burden of embracing the consequences of our sins. Your life here on earth was bound to end at the cross, and yet You overcame death in embracing life, in living life to the fullest. You brought life back to mute lips, deafened ears, and blinded eyes. You made the weak stand and the lame run. You woke those who were trapped in the slumber of death. In the impending face of death, You selflessly gave Your life to those in need and to me, Your friend. Accompany me in this moment of desperation. Be my comfort.
Through the harmonious relationship of the Trinity, may You help bring order back into my life. May Your unified love bring me closer to my family and friends. May Your constant presence in my life inspire me to see everything as grace from Your unending love and unfathomable mercy. May I see my life as a gift for others in shaping ourselves. May I see my life as a unique gift that You have given me. May I see my life as a mission to make your presence and love known to everyone I meet.
I offer this humble prayer of mine to the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, together with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Short prayer for suicidal thoughts
Father, the giver of life, I ask you to help me see my life through the lens of faith. Please remove all depression and anxiety. That I may see strength in adversity, joy above sadness, and hope amidst despair. Amen.
The Word of God
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.
Psalm 34:18-19 NRSVUE
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NRSVUE
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34 NRSVUE
Intercession to Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi against suicidal thoughts
O glorious Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, the holy daughter of the Father, hear my intercession against the suicidal thoughts which keep on pestering and invading my heart. Called by God at an early age, you preserved your purity through your religious discipline and formation. Your unfailing piety in prayer allowed you to experience God’s beatific vision, even for a short moment. Before God’s magnanimity and glory, you witnessed His indescribable beauty and were filled with His immense wisdom.
In the flourishing of your spirituality and relationship with God, you were not spared from the trials and temptations of the devil. You experienced dark years of depression and spiritual drought. You felt alienated from the presence of Jesus and His saints. You greatly struggled in loving yourself, doubted your relationship with God, and made yourself subject to the thorns of the flesh. But you persevered and overcame all of this through constant prayer and sacrifice. Acknowledging and offering your weakness to God allowed you to perfect the graces you received from Him, leading to the maturity of faith and transformation of the perspective in life.
Intercede for me the graces that I need in overcoming this trial that I am in. May I persevere through them like you so that God’s grace may also be made perfect within me. In overcoming them, I may grow grateful for God’s unending providence. Amidst the storms and buffeting wind of life, may my spiritual flowers bloom and shine brightly to strengthen me and inspire others to continue living life to the fullest.
Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
The past can be haunting. Our past experiences can remind us of the suffering or difficulties we have endured. We long to go back to change things as they were before. The guilt can be unbearable to the extent of losing our own sanity, paralyzing us in the present time. Succumbing to the shortcomings of the past impairs us from moving forward to the future God intended for us.
Likewise, excessive worrying about the future can be bad for us too. From its shroud of mystery and uncertainty, we strive to have a firm hold on it. But we can’t. As much as we want to have a clear picture of our desired goal, change is permanent, and we should strive to focus on what we have today, on what is in front of us.
These worries may plague our hearts and cloud our minds. The guilt of the past and the concern for the future can paralyze us and lead us to despair. But as Christians, we should look at life with hope. Trials and tribulations are part of our Christian life, for these are the crosses that we carry. Let us remind ourselves that we are not the first ones to carry a cross. We carry our crosses together with Christ. On our way to the cross, God might even send someone like Simon of Cyrene to help us alleviate the burden of the cross that we are carrying. Let us focus on the present because it is considered a gift.
Remember to always ask for help! No one needs to suffer alone; talk to a family member, friend, or medical professional. There is a world of help out there for anyone suffering mentally and emotionally. God bless you!
Dear God, thank you for all that you’ve done for me and given me. I now ask for your help in ending this loneliness and anxiety I live with daily. Please dear God, I urgently need your help, I am desperate.
Dearest Jesus, please comfort your child and ease their suffering. Heal them and help them. Amen.
Dear God, help me overcome my suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety, also my grief over the sudden loss of loved ones.
Dearest Jesus, help your child to overcome their difficulties and sufferings, find them the medical and emotional help they need to heal and feel Your joy in their lives again. Amen. Never suffer alone, always seek help.