Last month I passed ten years since I was first diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood, which means that I am now officially a long-term survivor. I hope very much to make another ten years, even though the majority of those I suggest that to shake their heads and look at me as though I’ve taken leave of my senses. It’s not always been easy, not by a long way, but I’ve been one of the lucky ones; too many fellow sufferers have died well before their time, and many with other cancers experience severe pain coupled with traumatic and invasive surgery. When I see on the news pictures of a child with bone cancer, a teenager with a brain tumour, or of a young mum or dad who is terminally ill, it breaks my heart. Everyone had hoped a cure for cancer would have been found by now, but that is proving a much harder challenge to crack than anticipated. In this prayer, then. taken from my book Intercessions for Hurting World, we lift before God all for whom cancer has impinged on their lives, too often with devastating consequences.
Lord of all,
hear our prayer today for all who are suffering from cancer.
We think of the shock felt at the time of diagnosis,
the uncertainty as to whether treatment will be successful,
the fear of what lies in store,
the anxiety shared by family and friends.
Give hope.
Give help.
We think of the challenge of coping with treatment,
as well as with the effects of the condition:
the nausea,
the pain,
the traipsing to and from hospital,
the anxious waiting for test results,
the financial implications,
the grim shadow that has fallen over life,
touching everything with a pall of uncertainty.
Give hope.
Give help.
We think of the worry faced by sufferers,
the fear that, if the worst comes to the worst and
treatment is unsuccessful,
they must face the heartbreak of saying goodbye
to loved ones,
in this life at least, never to see them again.
Give hope.
Give help.
We think of the challenge of carrying on despite all this –
of remaining cheerful and positive,
of attempting still to live a normal life,
of planning for the future while living as fully as possible
in the present.
Give hope.
Give help.
Grant skill, inspiration and guidance to all seeking a
cure for cancer,
so that generations to come may not live under its shadow
and sufferers today may have cause to look forward with
optimism to what may lie ahead.
Give hope.
Give help.
Amen.