This type of anxiety is worse than most people think. Sjur Ivar Tobiassen from Vestby can attest to that! I met him after a meeting where I spoke and prayed for the sick – at the Pentecostal Church Salen in Ski on September 13 this year.

Here, the 49-year-old could talk about how God pulled him out of an "anxiety hell."

Constant Fear

“About 20 years ago, I suffered from panic anxiety and used alcohol and drugs to numb the inner pain. The panic anxiety used to come 'like lightning from a clear sky.'”

Sjur can tell that those who have this disorder also have a fear of death.

“You live with a constant fear that a new attack might come. At this time, I had to resort to Valium every day. It took the edge off the anxiety but didn't help me deeply.” says Sjur Ivar thoughtfully.

At this time, I had a meeting in a church in Oslo. Sjur Ivar had heard about me and my ministry and wanted to come to a meeting.

“I barely made it through the door of the church and lingered back and forth at the back of the church. I wanted to go forward and receive prayer for this disorder, but I didn’t dare. For two to three hours, I stood at the back of the church watching you as you conversed with people and prayed for them. You had a good presence and kind eyes,” says Sjur with a smile.

A Healing Atmosphere

“That evening, I went home with peace of mind. The curiosity turned into peace. The next day, I woke up with tranquility in my mind. I had not had any anxiety attacks and am no longer afraid of them! Since then, I have not had panic anxiety.”

Sjur Ivar works in Oppegård municipality and is a Christian musician. Many congregations in the area around Oslo can enjoy his singing and music. But – how did the healing happen?

“I believe that the church where you prayed for the sick was filled with a healing atmosphere during the meeting. Through that, the healing came into me – through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Since I didn't dare go forward for prayer, God did it this way.”

Svein-Magne