Heavenly Father,

We are shaken by the results of the brain biopsy which shows that the seizures and headaches I have experienced are definitely caused by brain tumors. You are the Creator God who formed my body, and You have been my Guide to this point in my life. Yet I am so tempted to be discouraged by this news since they tell me there is no known cure for this. No surgery is possible to remove the cancerous tumors and the chemo and radiation that lie ahead do not promise anything other than a possible few months added life expectancy.

But I cannot forget that You are a loving and good God, and more than that, You have shown Your love to me by calling me to saving faith and You gave me a call to ministry.

It makes no sense to interrupt my seminary study with cancer. I confess I do not understand Your ways, but I will trust You. Soli Dei Gloria!

I come to You in the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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Dear Heavenly Father,

The scar on my head from the biopsy is gross looking and I am still reeling from the news that these tumors are inoperable and life expectancy is but some 27 months. But when the staples are removed I should begin to feel better. You know all about such pain and indignity having given Your Son to die in my place. Keep me focused on You and not these circumstances which drag me down so easily.

Thank You, Father for the delightful surprise visit of my brother and his family. I praise Your name that You provide all our needs even when we find Your ways so puzzling. In the midst of pain and suffering You give grace and comfort.

I praise You for Who You are, loving, good and powerful.

Accept my feeble words of praise in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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Dear God,

The nights are so long and days can seem very short and unproductive now. You know how close to the surface my emotions are all the time these days. Thank You for the comfort and assurance You give through Your Word. As I shared with my nieces and nephew today that life is not fair, I was able to affirm that I believe that You, our God, know this better than anyone because of how wretchedly Jesus was treated when He walked this earth. But Your grace is so sweet. Every day is a gift from You and none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. I pray with David the shepherd poet that You are my Shepherd, You lead me, provide for me, and accompany me even in this valley of the shadow of death.

Thank You for the gracious support of friends and family as I walk this journey, awaiting treatment decisions and hoping for good results. You are indeed good, Lord God. I will trust You even in the darkness.

Praying in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

Pathology reports that are so discouraging remind me that nevertheless I am on a path of Your choosing, O Lord. As I turn to the Psalms for expressions by men from time past of the ups and downs of life, I am comforted when I read Psalm 41:3 The Lord nurses them when they are sick and relieves their pain and discomfort.

Praise Your name! I know You are with me at all times. Keep my eyes on You, and give me courage for whatever lies ahead.

I pray this for Your honor and glory in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Oh God,

Waiting is so hard, and yet how often You tell us to wait on You. For all intents and purposes, I feel like I am on a roller-coaster that is poised at the precipice of that initial heart-stopping plunge. Cancer Treatment will begin soon, but meanwhile I wait.

I read again the words from Isaiah 40 that when we question if our way is hidden from You, You respond with the question, Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; I know that Your understanding is unsearchable. You give power to me when I am faint, and provide strength when mine is gone.

I will wait for the LORD and You will renew my strength so that I can mount up with wings like eagles, running and not being weary, walking and not fainting.

I pray this in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.

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Dear God,

I am ready to begin these treatments to see what You, O God, are going to do. I turn again to the Psalms and say with the Psalmist, I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. [2] But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. [3] O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.(Psalm 131 ESV) Keep me quietly trusting You,

Heavenly Father. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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Dear God,

I tell my Oncologist often, my life is not in his hands; my life is in Your hands, the Great Physician! In Your divine treatment plan, You use Your people to be part of the treatment by loving, encouraging, and supporting us when we are sick. How thankful I am for the times of laughter with family in these days and in being reminded that You are in control, even when it does not look that way. I am full of gratitude to You, O God. Praying for courage and hope as I begin the treatment plan designed for me now.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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These prayers are a series of prayers as the individual progresses through treatment for terminal illness of brain cancer. He has since died, but his faithfulness lives and can be an inspiration to others.