I realized yesterday that I haven’t fallen into depression in quite a while. As someone who has fallen into that trap often in my adult life, that’s huge. When I have fallen into depression I have felt helpless and unable to move forward; I’ve felt defeated, overwhelmed and alone, even when I’m not. When I’ve felt this way, I’ve accepted the lies of the enemy that I am weak and defeated, and then I begin to spiral into a vortex of sorrow and defeat–the engulfing depression that keeps me from taking a step forward. I’m so grateful that the Lord has shown me that His way is a better way to live!

Where does depression come from? From the lies of the devil, who is the father of lies, who seeks “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). That’s why we’re told to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8).

We are to be vigilant in standing firm in Christ and in prayer, because that’s where we can and should battle. It’s where we make the choice to call heaven to earth to intervene on our behalf, because we need to understand who we are truly battling. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)

Just so you understand, I’m not living in a season where I don’t have trials. But I’m making a choice to take those trials to the Lord, asking Him to carry my burden and trusting that He will (Matt 11:28). And I’m seeking His viewpoint on matters, asking Him to show me what I need to let go of, what I need to seek, and what He wants me to do. “Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hos 10:12)

The Hebrew word for “fallow ground” is nîr, “the tillable, untilled, or fallow ground”. It is land that could be productive, but for whatever reason has not been broken up, tilled, plowed, and prepared for planting. The prophet speaking the Word of the Lord is commanding the people to break up that land — spiritually! Unplowed ground won’t let a crop grow. It’s hard, preventing seeds from penetrating, germinating, and growing to maturity. We can’t plant seeds if we don’t bother to prepare the soil and pull out the thorns; the seed will have little effect. Stumps, and thorns must be removed before the ground can be tilled. Spiritually, this can only be done by submitting ourselves to God’s Word. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

Hardness of heart is fallow ground, and the Lord continues to show me where my heart is hardened so that it will become supple, so that He can use me for His kingdom. The Lord promises: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ez 36:26)

In plowing fallow ground, and allowing the Lord to work in me and submitting to His work, I’ve discovered the truth in this battle that the devil wages against God’s children. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:37-39)

I was reminded of the change particularly because a friend’s son, who is a child of God, on Saturday said he wanted to kill himself. The devil has a stronghold on his mind now and is seeking to steal his joy, destroy his life and kill him. I put out a prayer request on Facebook and a friend responded with the following prayer. I ask that you join us in agreement and pray this prayer with us for this young man and anyone you know who is giving into depression. I also ask for your prayers for me, because I know that the enemy is already launching attacks against me for speaking God’s truth: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Eph 6:18-20)

Lord, You tell us in your Word that the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. I lift this situation up to You Holy God and ask that YOU remove the veil of deception off of YOUR child. I ask that all assignments sent by the enemy to destroy this young man be declared null and void in Jesus’ Name. I ask that YOU would loosen his mind to receive and revive YOUR Truth!! I ask that this young man would experience a renewed awakening in His Savior. I ask that he be comforted as his mind becomes sound and clear. I ask that he be filled anew with Your love, joy and peace. Saturate him with Your overwhelming love. And that his mind be clear to receive YOUR truths. Lord, YOUR Word tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and Power, against Spiritual wickedness in High places but that our weapons are not carnal but MIGHTY through GOD to the pulling down of STRONGHOLDS. 

So we come in one accord and ask that YOU remove this STRONGHOLD and replace it with a sound mind. Cause him to cry out to You. For YOU in no way will cast Him out. Father … We declare this day as YOUR followers that satan will not take this young man but instead what satan caused for harm will actually produce the opposite.. It will work to the good!! . The devil wants him for He is YOUR Child and YOU have mighty plans for him. So what has been done in The dark God, I ask that YOU bring it to light. And cause this fiery trial to cease. For I believe YOU have something planned for this young man’s life that satan doesn’t want to see come to fruition, but GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN THIS YOUNG MAN than he that is in this world. 

I ask that he be SET FREE from this lie .. This bondage … And fill him with YOU. And give his loved one wisdom, discernment and Your peace that surpasses all human understanding. I thank YOU Holy God for answered prayers. As I come into agreement with all who are praying for this soul. And in everything I give YOU all praise and all glory. In the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen.