NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR MENTAL
ILLNESS
RECOVERY AND UNDERSTANDING
Tuesday of Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 4, 2005
The National Day of Prayer for Illness Recovery and
Understanding has been designated as
the Tuesday of Mental Illness Awareness Week which is the first week in October
of each year. Mental illness networks
and faith leaders are urged to work together so that they may recognize and
prepare for this day in a way that works best for each faith community. The prayers and actions of both faith
communities and secular organizations (e.g. NAMI, NMHA, DBSA, OCF, ADAA, etc.)
are needed to restore mental wellness in
This flyer contains some resources you may find helpful
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: We confess that we are still uninformed about mental illness and how it impacts a person and their families
Response: At times,
because of our lack of knowledge, and understanding we find ourselves separated
from our sisters and brothers with mental illness, their families, and
ourselves
Leader: There are lines drawn between us because we may define wholeness and normality with different words, but not a different spirit
Response: Because of
our lack of knowledge we live cut off from sources of strength and power that
would help us be present to people with mental
illness. This lack often makes us feel
that we cannot act.
Leader: So many events, meetings and needs call to us, grabbing for our attention, that we find ourselves stretched to a fine, thin line.
Response: In the face
of all this we continue to seek knowledge and understanding of mental illness
that will bring liberation and shalom to us and those we are serve
and unite us to action
All: O God, our
liberation and shalom we seek the power of your spirit, that we may live in
fuller union with you, ourselves and our sisters and brothers with mental
illness. Also grant that we may gain
courage to love and understand each other. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Loving Creator, we come to you on this National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding because we know that you are a God of love and compassion. We come as a people of all creeds and all nations seeking your presence, comfort and guidance. We come as consumers, family members, friends, co-workers and mental health professionals. We come this day because we believe that you, Divine Once, love each one of us just as we are and you walk with us on our individual journeys through life. You see the ignorance and injustice that divides us just as we are and you walk with us on our individual journeys life. You see the ignorance and injustice that divides and separates persons struggling with mental illness and you weep with us.
Give us the courage to face our challenges and open us today to the many ways you are already working in our midst. Help us to identify mental illness as the disease that it is, that we might have the courage and wisdom in the face of ignorance and stigma. Inspire us as we seek to overcome fear, acquire knowledge, and advocate for compassionate and enlightened treatment and service.
Sometimes, Divine Spirit, we feel discouraged and hopeless in the face of so many challenges. Help us to see ourselves as you see us…persons of value and worth…persons of creativity and potential. May we come to understand the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit un bringing about health and wholeness. And may we go forward into our communities with a renewed sense of vision, hope and possibility for the future. Amen.
Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroader
CANDLELIGHTING SERVICE
We light the candle of Truth that God will help us dispel ignorance and misinformation about major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Healing that troubled minds and hearts, broken lives and relationships might be healed. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Understanding that the darkness of stigma, labels, exclusion and marginalization might be dispelled for the sake of those touched by mental illness. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Hope for persons and families living with mental illness, for better treatment, for steadier recovery, for greater opportunity to work and serve. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Thankfulness for compassionate, dedicated caregivers and mental health professionals; for new discoveries in brain research and better medications. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Faith to dispel doubt and despair for those who have lost hope and are discouraged. (Silent Prayer)
We light the candle of Steadfast Love to remind us of God’s love and faithfulness, and to remind us to share the light of love and service for those living with mental illness. (Silent Prayer)
Carole J Wills
Other Options
After lighting the
candles, participants can be invited to come forward and light a votive candle
speaking the name of someone they wish o pray for aloud or in their heart. Other types of candles can be used and a song
can be sung.
Another option is to
have fountain or bowl of water in the center of the candles. Participants can come forward and take a
stone, colored marble or shell from the water and take it with them as a
reminder of their personal prayer.