Tag Archives: cancer

Prayer for the Beginning of Treatment

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Chemotherapy Vials, photo by Bill Branson on behalf of the National Cancer Institute, via Wikimedia Commons

Chemotherapy Vials, photo by Bill Branson on behalf of the National Cancer Institute, via Wikimedia Commons

I wrote this prayer in July of 2013. The husband of one of my clergy friends had cancer. He was preparing to receive a triple lumen cath followed by 4 days of chemo before receiving a bone marrow transplant the following week.

I admired how transparent they were about the whole experience. She posted on social media, “With a healthy dose of fear and much hope, we are walking this path together with the support of each of you and the grace of God to lead us.” She also posted his words before receiving the cath: “and so it begins.”

And so it begins… so much in so few words.

Their faith and the promises of God inspired this prayer.

Over the years, I’ve sadly returned to it. Every time my heart hurts. Every time God remains true and near.

This week my prayers begin for a sixteen-year-old I’ve known since she was a baby. She has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

May this prayer be a blessing to her, to you, and to all at the beginning of a medical journey. – Lisa <><

And so it begins,
the wondering
the diagnosis
the treatment

You are The Alpha and Omega
The Beginning and the End
The First and the Last
Unmatched Majesty, yet you draw near
to this beginning
to my frailty, my brokenness
my unknowing
closer than breath
closer than pulse

You are with me
You are for me
Jesus

You are Spirit
Animating, Leading
Pioneering, Perfecting
Way, Truth, Life
Glory Itself, yet you walk with me
on this small path
through the shadowy valleys
unknown or anticipated
My Guide and Guardian
Every day of my life

My eyes are open to my need
You make space to feel it fully and honestly
You meet me there with
Goodness and Mercy
Help and Wholeness

Holy One
You are my Hope and Peace
I love you and trust you and place myself into your compassion and care
Today and Tomorrow
Amen

***************
Prayer for the Beginning of Treatment © 2013 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia.
Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Prayer when your treatment is being denied

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hospital bed dark hall

Bed where patient is waited

This prayer was inspired by a friend whose insurance company denied the tests she needs. Heartbreaking. Frustrating. Infuriating. It is the third in a series of prayers for those walking the long journey of serious illness.

As always, may this prayer for her also be a blessing to you and to others you may know. Feel free to adapt it for your needs.

May all who need tests and treatments have access to what they need. May those with the power to make decisions about access to treatment do so with compassion and justice, especially for those with no one to take up their cause. – Lisa <><

Click here for Prayer for the beginning of treatment
Click here for Prayer for another test, another treatment

Jesus, Good Shepherd
You care for your lambs
Thank you for the compassion and strength you are extending to Janene
Help her to hear your voice and trust your promises

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
You defend your lambs
Thank you for fighting for Janene so she can have the tests and treatments she needs
Thank you for those who are taking up her cause
Help her to rest and trust in your provision
Empower those who are helping her with perseverance, boldness, and favor

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
You lead your lambs
Through the shadowy valleys, you lead
By the still waters, you lead
You make the way
You see us through
Help Janene to follow and trust your healing presence

All the days of this life
And all the days beyond this life
You are ours and we are yours
You are Goodness and Mercy
We are safe and home
Hallelujah! Amen!

**********
Prayer when your treatment is being denied
© 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Contact the Lisa for posting and publication considerations.

Prayer for another test, another treatment

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test-tubesMy friend Sue is long suffering and courageous. She asked for prayer as she entered into yet another round of tests and treatments. May this prayer for her also be a blessing to you and to others you may know. – Lisa <><

Merciful and Mighty God,
You are our Rock
Our Shield
Our Deliverer
Our Help
Our Hope

Remind Your beloved daughter Sue how much You love her
How near You are
How good You are
How strong You are
As she enters another round of tests
As she waits and wonders for the results

Your grace is greater than our every need and fear
You are surrounding her
and filling her
and leading her
and saving her

You are Comfort and Peace
Healing and Wholeness
Light and Life

We love You
and praise You
and trust You
Father, Son, Spirit.
Amen.

************
Prayer for another test, another treatment © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia.
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

For more information on the art, scripture translation and the use of this post in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page.

Prayer for the Beginning of Treatment

Posted on by
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Chemotherapy Vials, photo by Bill Branson on behalf of the National Cancer Institute, via Wikimedia Commons

Chemotherapy Vials, photo by Bill Branson on behalf of the National Cancer Institute, via Wikimedia Commons

The husband of one of my clergy friends has cancer. This week he’ll receive a triple lumen cath followed by 4 days of chemo before receiving a bone marrow transplant next week.

I admire how transparent they’ve been about the whole experience. She recently posted, “With a healthy dose of fear and much hope, we are walking this path together with the support of each of you and the grace of God to lead us.” She also posted his words before receiving the cath: “and so it begins.”

And so it begins… so much in so few words.

Their faith and the promises of God inspired this prayer. May it be a blessing to them, to you, and to others you may know. – Lisa <><

And so it begins,
the wondering
the diagnosis
the treatment

You are The Alpha and Omega
The Beginning and the End
The First and the Last
Unmatched Majesty, yet you draw near
to this beginning
to my frailty, my brokenness
my unknowing
closer than breath
closer than pulse

You are with me
You are for me
Jesus

You are Spirit
Animating, Leading
Pioneering, Perfecting
Way, Truth, Life
Glory Itself, yet you walk with me
on this small path
through the shadowy valleys
unknown or anticipated
My Guide and Guardian
Every day of my life

My eyes are open to my need
You make space to feel it fully and honestly
You meet me there with
Goodness and Mercy
Help and Wholeness

Holy One
You are my Hope and Peace
I love you and trust you and place myself into your compassion and care
Today and Tomorrow
Amen

***************
Prayer for the Beginning of Treatment © 2013 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia.
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

For more information on the art, scripture translation and the use of this post in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page.

Prayer for a Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony

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Relay for Life Luminarias, photo by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Relay for Life Luminarias, photo by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

This past Saturday, I was blessed to participate in my first Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony. It was a powerful experience of remembrance, community and hope. As I wrote the names of loved one on bags it hit home that three of our girl’s four grandparents have battled cancer. I love you Memere, Pepere and Papa and trust God one day there will be victory over this disease. – Lisa <><

Click here to read why Relay for Life participants walk through the night.

Prayer for a Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony
ONE:
Merciful God, at the close of this day we gather to claim your promises on behalf of all whose lives are touched by cancer. The darkness is closing in, but the darkness is not dark to you. To you the night is bright as day. Help us to claim your light and life.

In your hope, we light these candles and walk in solidarity with those who are currently on the journey of cancer treatment. Strengthen them. Encourage them. Fill them with your healing love that they may run this race with persevering faith. Your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. (based on John 1:5)

ALL:
Your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

ONE:
In your grace, we light these candles and walk in memory of those who have died from cancer. Thank you for the gift of these lives. Thank you for the goodness and wisdom you have blessed us with through them. Draw those of us who remain closer to one another and to you. Flood us with your hope, your compassion and your power that we may have victory over this disease. Your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

ALL:
Your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

ONE:
Take to heart these words from Psalm 27. As you hear the descriptions of evildoers and enemies, think of them as cancer. (Psalm 27:1-6 NRSV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

ALL SINGING:
Selected verses of This Little Light of Mine
By Harry Dixon Loes (public domain)

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

Anywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Anywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Anywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

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Prayer for a Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony © 2013 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia.
You are welcome to use this work with proper attribution. Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form

For more information on the use of the art, scripture translations and this post in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page