Worship Resources
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Prayers Concerning Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Prayers concerning mental health and substance use disorders, including a common prayer, opening prayer for Mental Health Sunday, a prayer of invocation, three pastoral prayers, a litany of naming, and prayers of the people. This document is offered by Your Life Matters!, an initiative of the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
Prayers for the People of Mental Health
A litany prayer adapted from and patterned after Prayers of the People from the Book of Common Prayer.
Resources for Worship: Mental Health Inspired
Liturgies, prayers, scripture and calls to worship to be used for the worship service.
National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding
The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding has been designated as the Tuesday of Mental Illness Awareness Week which is 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.
National Day of Prayer Sermon Starters
These scripture citations and Sermon Starters are part of the Resource Guide that accompanies the DVD, Mental Health Mission Moments. The DVD and Resource Guide are available for $14.95.
Jewish Prayers for Strength and Healing
Jewish prayers for strength and healing submitted by Rabbi Sonya Starr.
Blue Holiday Services
Blue Christmas Service Sample 1
(Bulletin: PDF, English)
Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult. The constant refrains on radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost. The anguish of the death of a love one can make us feel alone in the midst of celebrating and joy. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
Blue Christmas Service Sample 2
(Worship Guide: Word Format, English)
There are times when life is good and beautiful, and celebration is appropriate. But there are also times of distress and loss. During those times we sing sad songs of lament, protest and complaint about the chaos and harshness that life can sometimes be for us. We often feel afraid, angry, ashamed. Putting words to this season can often be difficult. But we do this together in our address to God.
Blue Christmas Service Sample 3
(from One Mind Mental Illness Ministry)
(Worship Guide: Word Format, English)
In this service, we will be given a chance to sing and to pray. We will be invited to offer up the pain, the loneliness, the sad and dark memories, and the anxiety and fear to the one whose birth we eagerly await…Jesus Christ. We pray that you will find hope and peace in this service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone.
Blue Christmas Service Sample 4
(Bulletin: PDF, English)
Blue Christmas order of service by San Carlos United Methodist Church.
Blue Holiday Service
(from One Mind Mental Illness Ministry)
(Worship Guide: Word Format, English)
This service is designed to recognize and acknowledge those sad and blue feelings, to give us comfort and support and to think about how this holiday season could be different. This is a place and time when we can allow feelings of pain, loneliness, worry, sadness, experiences of dark memories, anxiety and fear to be lifted up in faith to The One who can help us bear the burdens and relieve our pain. We are hopeful that we find peace in this service and comfort in knowing that we are not alone.
Blue Christmas and Blue Holiday Worship Services
(Website: Re:Worship Blue Christmas Worship Resource Index)
Faith communities are increasingly attentive to the needs of people who are “blue” during this holiday season. They are creating sacred space and hospitable settings to include those who face various kinds of losses, grief or depression. Such services are reflective, accepting the reality of where we are emotionally. They offer a message of hope and the assurance of God’s presence with us in the midst of our darkness. A helpful site with worship resources is the Re:Worship Blue Christmas Worship Resource Index.