January 31, 2022
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1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:11
To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
There is a prolific spirit of suicide in the world today. According to a 2019 report by the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In this report, 3.5 million people planned suicide, 1.4 million people attempted suicide and over 47,500 took their life by suicide. Per the World Health Organization, globally, it is estimated that over 700,000 people die by suicide every year. Interestingly, in 2019, there were nearly two and a half times as many suicides in the United States as there were homicides.
Mistakenly, some people think that everyone who has suicidal thoughts or commits suicide is or was depressed. However, this is not the case. While there is a link between suicide and mental health disorders, such as depression, numerous suicides happen on impulse in a moment of crisis. The decision can be made because of a perceived inability to deal with the stressors of life, such as financial problems, illness, or heartbreak due to the loss of a loved one, or the end of a relationship. In addition, experiencing disaster, trauma, bullying, abuse, violence, as well as feelings of hopelessness and isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behavior.
As stated in the beginning of this message, there is a spirit of suicide raging as never before. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Satan has no respecter of persons. Suicide affects people of all ages, economic backgrounds, educational levels, titles, positions, racial groups, and ethnicities. There have been several celebrity suicides in the past few weeks alone. (pictures- Regina King’s son, Cheslie Kryst Miss USA 2019, Peter Robbins, Hudson Madsen). But there are plenty of other persons who don’t make the news, not to mention all the persons who struggle with suicidal thoughts in private.
No matter what you’re going through, God is the answer. Having a committed personal relationship with the Lord is the key to life. Therapists have some wonderful tools and medications serve a purpose. But trying to fight a spiritual battle with only natural weapons, is not going to work. We all need to recognize that there is a spiritual battle going on for the minds, souls, and spirits of mankind. John 10:10 Jesus says The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: But Jesus said I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The spiritual forces to try and get someone to take his or her life can truly only be fought and overcome with greater spiritual forces and that requires the Lord. He is the only one that can conquer the dark forces of the enemy.
Many people go through things in life that cause unbearable pain. They may feel that no one understands and that the only way to end the pain is through ending their life. However, there is no pain too great that God can’t heal. There is no pain too deep for God’s reach. And there is no pain too complex that God doesn’t understand. There is no problem that God can’t fix. There is nothing too hard for God.
If you’re going through something in your life, whether it happened 50, 40, 25, 5 years ago or yesterday, if you haven’t already, give your life to God with all your baggage. Give Him your wounds, fear, loneliness, heartache, financial problems, secrets that are tormenting you. Give it all to God so He can heal you and replace all your problems with His divine peace. God is a waymaker, He will make a way out of no way. Just hold on to His unchanging hand. Resist the urge to take your life. Call on Jesus, He will answer, and He will save. Choose Jesus. Choose life, and claim deliverance and victory over any and everything related to suicide in the mighty name of Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Father God,
Thank You Lord for being God Almighty, the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God of all creation. Lord I pray for anyone dealing with feelings of suicide. I pray Father God that they would first prioritize their relationship with You. I pray that they would be consumed by Your love, Your power to heal, Your mercy, Your saving grace, Your kindness, Your generosity. Lord I pray that they be consumed with You. Lord I pray that You would speak to somebody’s heart right now who is so overwhelmed with the burdens that they are carrying and let them know how much You care, how much You want only the best for them, and how You created them with divine purpose. Lord I pray that they would see their worth. I pray that they will see that their life is more than any problem they’re facing, because You Lord are bigger than any problem of their past, present, or future. Lord help them to see that there is purpose to their life and that You have a blessing further on up the road, far greater than they can see or even conceive, if they just hold on. Lord I pray that You would send someone, something, a sign their way, right now, to let them know You care. Lord, I pray by Your Holy Spirit that You direct and redirect their focus to You. I pray that You speak to their heart right now to choose You Lord, I pray that You speak to them to choose life over death. Lord, to all who joined in this prayer, we thank You for answering this prayer request. We claim it right now in the mighty name of Jesus. We glorify You Lord and praise Your holy name. We claim deliverance and victory over any and everything related to suicide.
In Jesus mighty name we pray,
Amen
Resources:
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal reach out for help immediately:
911
National Suicide Hotline 800 273-TALK or 800 273-8255
Reach out to family members, friends, pastor, someone you trust
If you don’t need immediate assistance, you can also contact Dr. Lou Ella V. Taylor PhD, CNS, RN at info@healingrestorationministries.com for prayer, to set up an appointment for lay Christian counseling, or to talk to for spiritual support
National Christian Counselors Association 1-941-388-6868
Association of Christian Counselors 1-800-526-867
Your health insurance member services
Employee assistance
Copyright © 2021 Dr. Lou Ella V. Taylor PhD, CNS, RN
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