Father God,

Today, I pray for the parents of those children who are struggling through the chaos of PANS and PANDAS where an infection has caused their child to change into another personality. There is so much in this world where we as parents see threats to our children and can guard them from those threats. We work so hard to protect them and to raise them up in a world where the Fall has opened the door for illness, for injury, for bullying, for disappointments, and so much more to harm their body and their soul.

And then out of nowhere, what seemed like a simple strep throat, a simple viral illness, a simple GI bug, or whatever turns their lives and our lives as parents upside down. I pray that You would be present with those parents whose storm is thick and heavy, to be present in the midst of their child’s unconsolable rages, cries, panics, and confusions. I pray that the fingers of this world’s darkness would be released from their child’s mind as the inflammation of PANS and PANDAS disrupts functioning.

I pray that You would give these parents wisdom to know when to hold, when to stop, when to move, when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to pray through the chaos. I pray that Your presence would shield the child from physical harm during the periods of irrationality. I pray that You would give the parents open doors to get help that heals the physical inflammation rather than just pour water on the fire.

I pray that You would keep the parents’ faith alive and strong during the long nights of asking “How long Oh, Lord.” Meet these families in their darkness and deliver them.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.