A Prayer for Cancer Patients and Those Who Love Them
By Kristine Brown
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (Psalm 18:32 NIV)
According to the American Association for Cancer Research, June is National Cancer Survivor Month. Now that I’m 5 years cancer-free, I find it much easier to call myself a “survivor.” At the beginning of my battle with cancer, I didn’t see myself that way. But the truth is, cancer patients are not only survivors once we finish treatment. We’re not only survivors when we hear the word “remission.” We’re survivors from the moment of diagnosis, and so are the loved ones who walk tirelessly by our side.
Today’s verse comes from Psalm 18, a song of deliverance sung by David when God rescued him from the hand of Saul. David understood the magnitude of what God had done for him, and he expressed his overwhelming gratitude in this song of praise. “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (Psalm 18:32)
Psalm 18 serves as a reminder of God’s power over the enemies that threaten us. The psalmist began with a declaration of love for God, followed by an attribute that speaks volumes to me as a cancer patient. “I love you, Lord, my strength” (Psalm 18:1). On my worst days, when I can’t even get out of bed because disease ravages my physical body, God will forever be my strength. But cancer doesn’t just affect us physically. It can prove detrimental to our mental and emotional health, too. “Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors reports a poor physical quality of life and one in ten reports poor mental health-related quality of life.” (aacr.org) Maybe that’s why I find such comfort in the very next verse of this psalm. David described God this way, “…but the Lord was my support.” (Psalm 18:19) Psalm 18 declares David’s trust in his sovereign Lord, and his words still bring hope to us today. The Lord will be our support in our weakness. Whether we face a cancer diagnosis ourselves or help a loved one through health challenges. God will support and strengthen us for the battle.
Did you know that each month, besides December, is designated to recognize and bring awareness to a specific type of cancer? This fact reveals a sobering reality – everyone we meet has either been impacted by cancer or knows someone who has. And those numbers continue to grow. Today, let’s offer a prayer for cancer patients and those who love them. As we call upon the God of all strength to be their portion, may we believe him for healing, comfort, and peace in the midst of the battle.
Let’s pray:
Dear God,
We love you. We praise you for what you’ve done and trust you for the future of cancer survivors and those who love them. Thank you for being their strength and support. Thank you for providing everything they need for the battles they face. Arm them with strength right now and keep them secure every day of their lives.
Cancer can cause physical, mental, and emotional pain. It affects not only the patients but their loved ones, too. Yet you are greater than any disease we face! We praise your name and call out to you on behalf of those who are struggling. God, like your servant David, we can say with confidence, “You armed me with strength for battle,” and I pray you will do the same for all cancer patients and the loved ones who care for them. They need your comfort, peace, and healing. Bring hope in times of pain and discouragement. Strengthen your children in their weaknesses. Support them so they know that you are there even when they grow weary. Thank you, Lord.
In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AndreaObzerova
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