R’ Yochanan and R’ Elazar tell us “even if a sword’s blade is resting on a person’s throat, he should not give up hope of praying for Divine mercy.” R’ Chanan said “even if an interpreter of dreams tells someone he will die tomorrow, he should not give up hope of praying for Divine mercy.” The Iyun Yaakov points out that even if R’ Chanan’s statement happens first and a person is told he is going to die tomorrow, and then a sword’s blade is resting on his throat on the next day, he still should not give up hope!