A prayer of intervention against the crushing panic attack

Lord of all comfort and consolation,

For the person experiencing tremendous dread welling up to a wall of panic, I bring to You this prayer of intervention, to enliven their spirit to recognise the awesome reality of Your Presence with them.

This person is facing a torrent of fear and a groundswell of terror threatens to overwhelm them this very minute. As those seconds slow down to become minutes, as this hour becomes to them like a full day, present Hope to them in such a way as they see it, give them a vision of Your peace, and even inspire them to a joy that transcends their understanding as to why.

The full fury of Your enemy is inbound and creating overwhelming confusion and uncertainty. Give this one the spaciousness of Your grace to defend with shield and buckler this state of impending peril. Give them practical escape, a way out, a refuge that opens up, a doorway that can only come through You.

You are the everlasting God, who opened the seas and made way for the Exodus, who saved Your people from the flames of the fiery furnace, who goes before the travailing through all generations, right to the present moment, eternally. You are all powerful and wholly trustworthy. I pray all Your power go to them now! I pray they reach out in trust, that they do all You require of them this moment as they seek Your covenant protection.

I pray Your healing to their innermost parts even as they deal with this inner skirmish, even as they wrestle with what seems to confound them; give them the answer they need for their time.

Be with them in the moment of peril and bring them through this moment through a stillness they find is palpable and refreshing in the face of tyranny.

Even now, as they draw down and deep within, feeling the attack grip, anxiety willing the response of paralysis, create movement, Lord; create space mentally, range emotionally, possibility spiritually.

As the moment breaks forth, as this person feels staid, in the state of being afraid, bring forth recognition of their courage, insight of their pluck, affirmation of their fortitude, and show them that their mettle is borne on the wings of staying still in presence of this confrontation. Give them what they need, right now, Lord!

And even as they settle, having made for safety, whether a different environment or to a person for support or technique they’ve employed or something else that worked, give them even more space for clarity, for wit, for the grace to be gentle with themselves. And give them insight for information on what to learn from this most present of experiences and equip them for a rapid response for next time.

Most of all, Lord, reassure the person encumbered in attack that it’s not their fault, it’s nothing to be ashamed about or hidden, and that it’s nothing to do with their level of spiritual maturity. Just encourage them, God.

I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus—the author and perfector of our faith, especially because of weakness,

AMEN.

Photo by Zach Ahmajani on Unsplash