Why ‘Just Pray About It’ Isn’t Enough: Mental Health and Faith

“Just pray about it.”

“You need more faith.”

“Cast your cares on Jesus and move on.”

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue and heard one of these responses, you know how dismissive they can feel. They’re often meant with good intentions — but sometimes they do more harm than help.

As believers, we know prayer is powerful. We know God is our healer, our peace, our refuge. But what happens when prayer doesn’t feel like it’s working? What happens when you pray, and the depression still lingers? The anxiety still wakes you up at night? The trauma still rattles your nervous system?

Let’s talk about it.

Faith Isn’t Measured by Mental Stability

We’ve bought into the myth that strong Christians don’t struggle — that if your faith were deep enough, you’d be free from anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, or suicidal thoughts.

But that simply isn’t biblical.

Consider Elijah in 1 Kings 19. He had just seen God send fire from heaven in front of hundreds of people. And yet, shortly after, he fled into the wilderness and asked God to take his life.

This is a prophet of God. And he was suicidal.

God didn’t shame him. He didn’t say, “You just need to pray harder.” He sent an angel to feed him. He let him rest. He met Elijah’s physical and emotional needs — not just his spiritual ones.

We are whole beings: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. God cares about every piece of us. And our faith doesn’t make us immune from suffering — it gives us strength in the suffering.

Prayer Is a Weapon, Not a Shortcut

Prayer changes things. But it’s not magic. It’s not a “get out of pain free” card. Sometimes, prayer leads you to the next right step: therapy. medication. support groups. boundaries. honesty.

Sometimes, prayer is what keeps you breathing through the dark nights — and that’s enough.

God can work through medication just as much as He works through miracles. He can use therapy just as powerfully as He uses sermons. And He does.

When we reduce complex mental health struggles to “just pray about it,” we actually misrepresent who God is. He’s not ignoring your pain — He’s present in it. He’s not waiting for you to be stronger — He’s already reaching down to carry you.

Jesus and the Long Game of Healing

In John 5, Jesus heals a man who had been sick for 38 years. He didn’t say, “Why haven’t you fixed this by now?” He simply asked, “Do you want to be well?” And then He walked with him into healing.

Some healing is instant. But some healing takes time. It takes unraveling years of trauma. It takes unlearning shame. It takes safe relationships, good questions, and grace upon grace.

Faith doesn’t always make healing faster. But it does make it possible.

So What Should We Say Instead?

Let’s get practical. If someone you love is struggling with their mental health, here are a few better things to say than “Just pray about it”:

• “I’m here. You’re not alone.”

• “That sounds incredibly hard. Want to talk about it?”

• “Would it help to pray together right now?”

• “Have you thought about talking to a counselor? I can help you find one.”

• “You’re not less of a Christian because you’re struggling.”

Hope For the Hurting

If you’ve been hurt by those phrases — I see you. I’ve been there. You are not weak. You are not broken. You are human. And God is not disappointed in you. He is with you, even in this.

Yes, pray about it.But also — go to counseling.Take your medication.Talk to your pastor.Join a support group.Tell your friends the truth.Let someone in.

This isn’t a lack of faith. This is faith.

Faith that God uses every resource — not just the ones we see on Sunday morning.

Reflection Questions:

• What phrases have hurt or helped you during mental health struggles?

• How have you seen God show up in both spiritual and practical ways?

• Who can you reach out to this week — either to support them or ask for support?