If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, and you are wondering how you can best help them, consider prayer as your first priority. They need your covering of prayer more than anything, and, spending time in close fellowship with God will comfort your heart as well.
“Remember, the dementia patient is not giving you a hard time. The dementia patient is having a hard time.” ~Active Pro, Nursing and HomeCare Inc.
A diagnosis of dementia can turn a person’s life upside down in a moment. For family members, it can usher in a host of fears and challenges they don’t know how to handle. As the disease progresses, the loved ones they once knew become entirely different people. Truly, this is one of the most difficult challenges a family could face.
Even as the medical world works hard to make advances in treating dementia, there are still many unknowns. Fortunately, we have a loving Creator who knows, in detail, the inner workings of the brain and complexities of the disease. It’s important to remember that we live in a fallen world riddled with sickness and death. While it was never part of God’s original plan for mankind, sin entered the world and sickness and disease followed close behind.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, and you are wondering how you can best help them, consider prayer as your first priority. They need your covering of prayer more than anything, and, spending time in close fellowship with God will comfort your heart as well.
As you lift your friend or family member up to the Lord, be assured that He hears you. He loves you with an everlasting love. No matter how difficult the disease, you can count on God to be with you through every stage. Pray for peace in the storm, ask for wisdom in the decision-making, and cry out for healing of this terrible affliction. The Lord your God is with you.
Here Is a Prayer for Your Loved One with Dementia:
Gracious God, full of love and mercy, we come to You today in search of peace. Lord, only You know the intricate workings of our minds and bodies, for You created them. We ask for understanding of our loved ones’ behaviors as they are continually changed by dementia. Lord, please give us wisdom about how to relate to them and best serve them. Show us resources to help us on this journey. We trust You to provide exactly what is needed.
Please help us remember that our loved one cannot control how they behave. Give us patience when dealing with them. Give us strength when we are tired. Please fill us with the fruit of Your Spirit so that we can love them with Your love and display kindness, goodness, and gentleness.
Lord God, boldly we come to you and ask that you stop the progression of this disease. We know that You are the Great Physician. You are the Gentle Healer. And You are able to heal! Please have mercy on my family. Please consider us and bestow Your favor on us. Heal my loved one, I pray.
Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray for clarity, resolve, and steadfastness in dealing with the unknowns. I ask for knowledge of the disease so that I can act accordingly for the betterment of my loved one. I pray for financial provision to best care for them. You know exactly what is needed, therefore, I look to You to provide.
When my trust falters, Lord, please forgive me and come to my rescue. Remind me of Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Help me to see past the current situation and know there is something better for us in heaven. Please provide opportunity for me to share the gospel with my loved one, at a time when they clearly understand what I am saying. I ask for assurance that they have received You as their Lord and Savior and will spend eternity with You.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You for being present in this situation. I trust that I can rely on You for all things. I commit my loved one to You today and know that for such a time as this, you have placed me here to care for them, pray for them, and love them.
I pray all of these things in Jesus’ holy name,
Amen
More encouraging resources for your journey:
10 Things You Should Know about Dementia
The Last Meal My Mama Cooked for Me
Sources:
Active Pro, Nursing and HomeCare Inc.
Photo Credit: Pablo_K
Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional! An easy way to start your day with prayer: read today’s prayer and sign up to receive it by email.
This article is part of our larger Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayer for God's Help
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
