In researching prayer, I have come to realize many of our esteemed Christian leaders struggled with depression. Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, and David Brainerd are but a few who come to mind. Why should this surprise me? Twenty percent of Americans struggle yearly with anxiety disorders. Just because we pray and read our Bibles doesn’t exempt us from mental anguish.
We can add John Bertram (J. B.) Phillips (1906-1982), a pioneer to modern Bible translation, to the above list, having struggled with chronic depression through much of his ministry. I became acquainted with J. B. through his book Your God is too Small and his translation of The New Testament in Modern English. J. B. led a youth group in Cambridge, England in his early years. After recreation, he closed each meeting with Scripture, reading from the only Bible translation that was readily available–the 1611 King James Version (KJV). The students reacted with polite indifference. When J. B. read Colossians to his students, he decided to translate it himself, using modern language and contemporary idioms. His students loved it and wanted more. He wrote C. S. Lewis for advice and sent along his Colossians’ translation. Lewis responded, “Thank you a hundred times…It was like seeing an old picture after it was cleaned.” He urged him to continue yet warned him to expect opposition from KJV loyalists. Sure enough, Phillip’s translation was met with enthusiasm by students and fierce resistance from King James Version enthusiasts.
In his Price of Success autobiography, J. B. detailed his long struggle with depression and his perceived failure to become a better pastor and writer. He was besieged with letters from people seeking counsel with similar afflictions, some of whom were fellow pastors. While I can’t find any printed prayers by Phillips, he translated Philippians 4.6-7, including words about telling God “Every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer.”