Prayers for Depression
new book - a spiritual guide for low seasons
In 2023, I was talking with my long time friend and co-author of two prayer books Justin McRoberts and he told me his book agent asked him, “Do you think Scott would ever want to do another book with you?”
“So… do you?” Justin asked me.
“Well… I have a folder of 25 or so images and words for a prayer book for the season of depression. Mostly I’ve written and drawn them during my own bouts in the low… and I’ve been thinking that there’s something there.”
“Bro…. I’ve been writing the same book.”
2023 was a year I was dedicated to not doing most creative endeavors by myself. I took friends along with me on all my Say Yes shows. I was working on filming Say Yes and I was working with a Director and DP on the shoot. So it seemed to me like this was supposed to be.
We made up a proposal and after negotiating with a few different publishers we signed a contract with Baker Books in June 2023. The timeline was set and we were supposed to turn in a full book by October 23.
We turned nothing in for the October date.
They pushed it til the end of the year. We turned nothing in.
How about February? Nothing.
How about Spring Break? Nothing.
Then in April 2024… I knew it was the right time.
From April to August it was mostly what I worked on.
Our other two books were informed by a 40 day daily read timeline. This book didn’t have to have that constraint.
“I think we should write and illustrate as many prayers that want to come through us.”
In August 2024 we turned in a manuscript that consists of 128-ish contemplative word and image prayers along with 5 essays about the disconnections that can be the source of depression.
And today… I’m writing you all to let you know that this beloved work is coming into the world this October.
“This book is a collection of contemplative word and image prayers for the season of depression.
Justin and I, in going through our own seasons of depression, realized we were gathering poems, images, prayers, and songs to carry us through the deep work of these difficult seasons. We wanted to make something like that for others.... a collection of helpful things.
Ultimately depression is a sign post of some disconnection in a human life, and the process through the depression is a reconnection to that which makes us whole. IN THE LOW is offered as a spiritual companion for the difficult journey of reconnection in a human life.”
Pre-Order Here!
Pre-Order Here!
We are extremely proud of this book and know it’s going to be a help to so many people. We just gathered all our endorsements and everyone I asked to write an endorsement sent along a personal note how much they loved the book and that they are ready to share it with all their friends, family, and followers.
"I can offer no higher compliment than this: someone I love dearly picked up this book during a stretch of pressing darkness, and it helped them. Thank you for making something that helps to lift the darkness. I’d like to hand this beautiful book out left and right.”
- Shauna Niequist, author of I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet
“In the Low has a permanent spot on my bookshelf, both as a spiritual director who holds prayerful space for others and as a human person who needs prayerful space held for me. I’m grateful for the unhurried connection Scott and Justin offer to us through their words, images, and humanity. This one is a must-read for anyone in any kind of low.”
—Emily P. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk into a Room
“If you have experienced depression, or if you are close to someone who is in that low place right now, you know that well-meaning friends, family members, and clergy often say things that make you feel worse. As I read the honest, simple prayers in this book and let the clear and powerful illustrations do their work on me, I felt: "This will help, not hurt. This will help make things better, not worse." You will treasure this book, I predict, and come back to it again and again.
-- Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt and Life After Doom.
A FEW THINGS MOVING FORWARD
Pre-orders are invaluable.
I know you’ve heard this before… and it’s true! It signals to book sellers what book they should put effort into promoting. All your pre-orders help make this important work know to the greater universe. So please preorder!
Support your Artist even if you’re sick of Amazon
Yes… the only pre-order link we have is with Amazon. As we get closer to the date, there will be other book seller outlets offering pre-orders. But as for now, this is the only one we have. I too, in recent months, have intentionally purchased books through other book sellers, and I applaud that commitment.
But if you’re willing to love me more than hate Amazon just this once, I promise you your sins will be forgiven. ; )
The Low Show Book Tour
Justin and I will be hitting the road doing an evening event around the content of this book.
Our first stop is Atlanta on Feb 8.
Get tickets here for the Atlanta show.
The Low Show
None of us have a choice of whether or not we’re in the process of becoming. But we can become conscious of how we are being acted upon and how we can actively submit ourselves to a more redemptive process.
Join us for a multi-media, comedic, storytelling, teaching, art event that illuminates our pain and the process of turning it into something healing.
So if you’re in Atlanta, come on out! We are working on other cities and dates currently. Also, if you are interested in hosting something like this in your community, send me a message.
A million thank yous for your support of my work. It means so much to me.
And I can’t wait to offer this spiritual companion in low seasons to those who need it.
Pre-Order Here!
keep up the awesomeness,
scott
This was the time your offering needed to be born. The depression gene often runs deep in creatives....even with the beauty of the Divine. Not only will I enjoy having your flotation device, but I am gifting it to my beautiful daughters and granddaughters who also dip into the deep waters of depression from time to time. Especially now that the nation seems to be losing it's lifeguards. Deep Gratitude for both your presence and wisdom.
Scott, I can’t even! As someone who has had numerous weeks long “depressive episodes” and taken meds for 30 years, the news of this book thrills me. I live in Richmond VA and attend a church formed in 2022 by an ex evangelical pastor and a Methodist pastor from a mtg at a BLM rally here in the capital of the fucking Confederacy. We are affirming, egalitarian and practice an open table. We are discerning if we will join the UMC. I would love more information about hosting you and Justin. Maybe in conjunction with other UMC or likeminded churches here in RVA. Regardless, thank you for your work and vulnerability.