Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Updated from its original publishing date December 6, 2014.
There’s been lots of talk about suicide in the news lately. With the recent deaths of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, designer Kate Spade, and California pastor, Andrew Stoecklein, there’s hardly a week that goes by without mention of a suicide-related death. Whereas reports about these kinds of deaths used to be rare, they are becoming all too commonplace in a world where, seemingly, information moves at the speed of light.
With that said, it is highly unlikely that you or someone you know hasn’t contemplated or, at the very least, had a thought of suicide as a way out to escape life’s worries and pains.
If you are among the 1 million US adults who have attempted suicide in the past 12 months or you know someone who has considered suicide, there is a word for you in this message that may hold your release and set you on the path to healing. This is no ordinary suicide didactic presentation with stats, behavioral profiling or psycho talk. This is based on real life, my life and I am transparent in my own struggles with this very real mental health issue.
I delivered this presentation during Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month a couple of years ago at The Mount in Chesapeake, VA. The goal was to create awareness regarding the many demographics affected by suicide including church leadership and to de-stigmatize mental health issues so that we can get the help we need to truly live well. There is also a very special prayer shared at the end of the presentation allowing those who have experienced a suicidal thought or attempt to be freed of the spirit of suicide and reclaim their lives for Christ.
This article includes my full presentation, the accompanying slide presentation, a special freeing prayer and links to additional resources. I hope it is a blessing to you or someone you love and can serve as a reminder that life really is worth living!
Video Presentation
Slide Presentation
Key Scriptural References
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
The Word: II Corinthians 10:5
“Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed.”
James 5:16 ESV
Suicide Freedom Prayer
Lord, I realize that while the thief came to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came to give life. I confess that I have been entertaining and agreeing with the voice of the enemy regarding my own life.
Whether I can see it or not, I choose to believe that You have a plan for my life and that You will carry it out.
My life is Yours and not mine, and I surrender to You my life and my death. I choose to renounce the lie of the enemy that my own death can do more for me than the death of Your Son, Jesus.
I declare Your truth over my life and I ask for a divine exchange of the lie with Your truth. I take control of my thoughts and I thank You for the gift of my life. I ask for and receive your forgiveness and walk in freedom from this day forward in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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Freedom Prayer originally published in part by Gateway Church
Copyright 2006, 2011, 2012
Additional Resources
http://save.org – Warnings Signs of Suicide
http://afsp.org – Suicide Risk Factors
http://suicideispreventable.org – Finding the Words to help, when someone is at risk