If your family or friends have been touched by Alzheimer’s, you too have probably struggled every time you forget a detail or misplace an item. Fear plays a huge part of the onset of this disease.
Rather than remaining crippled by anxiety, I have found Psalm 71 an amazing antidote to the clutches of fear, especially as it relates to dementia. Below is a template for you to print and pray for yourself or someone you love who struggles with this concern. I encourage you to pray it often, until you can relax into the Truth within.
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Holy Father,
Thank You that I have an interior hideaway in You. May I never be reluctant to run to You, my refuge (Psalm 71:1).
If my own actions were the prerequisite to spirituality, I would be continually discouraged. Thank You for solving this problem by swapping my sin for Your righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). I can pray claiming Your righteousness to deliver me, rescue me, and listen to my fears about Alzheimer’s (Psalm 71:2).
Be the garrison of my mind, where I can continually come for safety when my thoughts want to conquer me. Thank You for mandating Yourself as the refuge city for my life. You are the strong fortress to which I can run (Psalm 71:3).
Rescue me out of earshot of the evil one, who continually whispers discouraging thoughts. Hide me from the tongue of this liar who desires only to execute, embezzle and exterminate me (Psalm 71:4; John 8:44; John 10:10).
You alone are my Hope. You alone are my confidence (Psalm 71:5). I reflect on all of the ways You have sustained me from the time of my birth to now (stop now, to truly think through some of them). Thank You, O Lord (Psalm 71:6). When I truly chew on of all You have done, my mouth is then full of praise (Psalm 71:8).
Even though my strength decreases because of age, I know You would never throw me out of Your Presence or abandon me (Psalm 71:9). The evil one wants to whisper, “You are forgetful!” or “The disease is coming upon you now!” (Psalm 71:10-11). But I believe that You sent Your Son on earth for the very purpose of giving me understanding that I might know You (1 John 5:20). Give me perceptive so that I can fulfill Your purpose.
You say, Your power is made perfect in weakness — that my weakness gives You an opportunity to display Your strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). You promise never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) and that You will carry me even throughout my graying years! (Isaiah 46:4). Use my weak vessel to testify of Your strength even when I am old and wrinkled (Psalm 71:18). Clothe Yourself in my weakness so that the world can see Your glory.
Fasten my thoughts onto Your righteousness and Your salvation (Psalm 71:15-16). Keep my attitude fixed onto Your hope (Psalm 71:14). Thank You that when I hope in You, I am cleansed and renewed (1 John 3:3).
You have shown me much distress, Father. Now, I ask that You would show me revival. Lift Your people up from the depths of pleasure into which the world has immersed them (Psalm 71:20). Comfort us as You send renewal (Psalm 71:21).
Thank You, Father, for hearing my prayer (Psalm 65:2). Praise You for being a God Who is for me, not against me (Romans 8:31). Praise You that Your Truth is everlasting — even more permanent than the apprehension that I sometimes feel (Psalm 100:5; 1 John 4:4). Help me to recognize the devil’s lies instantly and always turn my thoughts into praise (Hebrews 13:15). May my lips be used for shouts of joy and my soul (thoughts and emotions) reserved to sing Your praise (Psalm 71:23-24).
This prayer is authorized by the blood of Jesus and signed with His Name. Hallelujah!
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