According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide has become one of the leading causes of death across multiple age groups.
In fact, it is now the 12th leading cause of death among Americans. In the year 2020 alone, there were more than 1.2 million reported suicide attempts, and nearly 46,000 of them were successful. The foundation reports that each day, 130 people die by suicide.
This places it ahead of hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and various forms of lung inflammation.
While many people leave notes behind, there is ultimately no way to truly understand what brings someone to a place where they tragically believe that the world would be a better place without them.
Satan, who the Bible calls the “father of lies” convinces people that there is no hope and no other way out. The CDC recently published a study that said that 6.5 million people between the ages of 18 and 39 have had suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months.
The number of people who commit acts of self-harm cannot be determined. This is largely because many of them do not seek professional help until it is too late. Many experts agree that the annual number of self-harm incidents likely falls somewhere around the 5 million mark.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline by dialing 988. They are available 24 hours a day to help.
As God’s people, we understand the value that God places on every life. Each person who has ever or will ever live came with a unique purpose. Tragically, many people lose hope before embracing that purpose.
Today, ask God to minister to those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and self-harm through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Pray These Verses
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death. Blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV)
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 94:17-19 (NIV)
Unless the Lord had given me help, I would have soon dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father, today I am burdened for those who are facing so much pain that they feel hopeless. My heart aches for those who believe the lie of Satan, telling them that there is no hope for them. Please Father, dispatch the Holy Spirit to them in this moment, encouraging them to choose life and live.
Help them to wait on You, as You are our Help and our Shield. There is rejoicing in the hearts of humanity because of Your wonderous works, even if the trials of life often leave us struggling to see those things. Father, if You don’t give them the same kind of help that You gave David, I fear that they will dwell in the silence of death.
Be with those whose feet are slipping. Support them, calm their anxieties, and bring them joy. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Thank God
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being close to the brokenhearted and for keeping Your eyes open to the tears of humanity. Thank You for comforting those who face pain and encouraging those who need courage.
Thank You for being a source of hope for the hopeless. Thank You for the resources that we have access to, and the ability to reach out in times of sorrow. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Again, if you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, dial 988. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.