‘Pray It Away' - Let's Talk About What Actually Helps

“Just be happy.” “Just give it to God.” “Just pray about it.”

These well-meaning phrases may come from a place of love but can completely invalidate your struggles in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard these words many times, mostly when I was deep in the trenches of depression. These phrases only made me feel more alone, more misunderstood, and somehow at fault for not being able to just “get better.”

I want to talk about something that’s been weighing heavily on my heart. Whether you’ve walked away from faith entirely or you’re still trying to figure out where you stand, I see you. I understand why phrases like “just pray about it” might make you want to run in the opposite direction.

This isn’t about pushing religion – it’s about having an honest conversation about healing, faith, and the very real need for action.

Growing up in church, I heard the verse “faith without works is dead” countless times. But I never really understood its meaning until I found myself in the depths of depression. The nights were the worst for me. I’d sit in bed, all alone with my thoughts. The only thing I could manage to do was pray. I’d sob and beg God for healing and peace.

But nothing changed until I took action – until I combined those prayers with steps toward healing.

For me, that meant starting therapy and getting on medication. It wasn’t easy. Part of me felt like I was failing God by seeking help outside of prayer. Maybe you’ve felt that too.

Think about it this way: if you received a cancer diagnosis, what would you do? You’d pray – absolutely. But you’d also see doctors, schedule treatments, show up for appointments. You wouldn’t feel like you were lacking faith by seeking medical treatment.

Mental health deserves the same approach.

To those who’ve stepped away from church because your mental health struggles were met with “just pray about it” – I see you. I understand why those words hurt. They hurt me too. Those wounds are real, and your pain is valid.

Please know that there are those of us in the faith who understand that seeking help isn’t a sign of weak faith – it’s often exactly what God is calling us to do.

To my fellow Christians offering support to others – I know your heart. You want to point people to God’s healing power. But remember how Jesus responded to suffering: He listened. He showed compassion. He took action. Let’s follow His example by offering both spiritual support and practical help.

Through my journey, I’ve learned that healing looks different for everyone. For some, it’s therapy and medication. For others, it’s support groups or creative outlets. Some find peace through exercise or time in nature.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing – even Jesus used different methods for different people. Your path to wholeness might not look like mine, and that’s okay. That’s exactly as it should be.

What matters is taking those first steps, whatever they might be for you.

Trust that God can work through many different methods of healing – including therapy, medication, or whatever tools resonate with you.

You’re not failing God by seeking help. You’re not showing lack of faith by taking action.

In fact, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing – matching your prayers with works that lead toward healing.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still on this journey myself.

But I do know this: God’s healing often comes through the very help we’re sometimes afraid to seek.

Take that first step. Reach out. Combine your faith with action. You are loved, you are valued, and your mental health matters to God just as much as your spiritual health.

Your prayers are enough. Your faith is enough. And it’s okay to need help beyond prayer. Sometimes the bravest act of faith is reaching out for the help God has placed in our path.

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