I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
… over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression …
~ I Speak Jesus by Jesse Reeves, Raina Pratt, Abby Benton, Kristen Dutton, Carlene Prince and Dustin Smith, 2020
When I first heard the song I Speak Jesus, the lyrics struck me for their novelty. Words like “addiction”, “anxiety” and “depression” usually do not appear in contemporary worship songs. Most of the time, we would sing about God’s greatness, goodness and sovereignty over our trials. Mental health issues do not get specific mention.
Perhaps this needs to change. According to the National Population Health Survey released in 2023, the prevalence of poor mental health in Singapore rose from 13.4 per cent in 2020 to 17.0 per cent in 2022. Furthermore, young adults aged 18 to 29 had the highest proportion of poor mental health at 25.3 per cent. In other words, there will be an increasing number of people in our churches with mental health concerns.
While many churches have already responded pastorally to this issue, we might also want to explore how, we, as the body of Christ, can engage with these concerns in our worship practices.
As Dr John D Witvliet, the director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, put it: “What we say or fail to say about these challenges in worship settings can be profoundly formative for how Christian communities respond to these challenges. Further, decisions we make about how to shape and lead worship can do a lot either to welcome or to inhibit the participation of those among us who struggle with these concerns.”
With this in mind, incorporating hymns and songs that address mental health concerns can be a meaningful step. Additionally, churches might consider incorporating elements such as:
1. Lament psalms
Psalms that provide the words for an honest, unhindered time of crying out to God may help members struggling with mental health issues express their heartfelt burdens before God. Embracing these psalms in worship also acknowledges God’s graciousness and mercy in accepting us as we are.
2. Informed prayers
Prayers that specifically bring various types of mental illnesses and disorders before God, coupled with an awareness of different kinds of mental health challenges, could mean a lot to those who are struggling.
3. Preaching on suffering
A congregation who understands suffering not as a simplistic consequence of individual sin or faithlessness, but as an inevitable part of the Christian life will be more hospitable towards those whose mental anguish is understood by few.
By thoughtfully considering these approaches, our churches could become more of a refuge for those experiencing mental distress—a place where they find peace and love, rather than judgment.