Posts Tagged ‘cancer’

 

On the Recurrence of Cancer

Posted on: July 18th, 2012 by tobendlight

Three days ago I posted a prayer to be said when an individual’s cancer goes into remission. Almost immediately, a friend emailed to say that her sister-in-law’s cancer has returned. This is from a series of nine prayers that I’ve written to be said at various stages of the disease. The prayers posted in this series so far include: “For Cancer Treatment,” “Cancer Remission” and two Hospice Prayers.

On the Recurrence of Cancer
G-d of Old,
Source of my life,
I am crushed and shattered
By the recurrence of cancer.
My cells have transformed,
Once again,
Into agents of disease.

G-d of wisdom and strength,
Have I lived in the illusion of false hopes?
Have I lived, unknowingly, in the shadow of borrowed time?
Have I been betrayed by my body?
By medical science?
By my will to live?

G-d of my ancestors,
G-d of health and hope,
Hear this prayer as I attempt to comprehend this moment,
As I contend with the potential for renewed pain and distress
On a journey toward wholeness of mind, body and spirit,
Or whatever else I face in the days ahead.
Grant me the clarity to make sound choices
For my treatment and my life.
Grant my physicians knowledge and insight
And caregivers skill and perseverance.
Grant scientists and researchers tools and understanding
To develop new treatments for this cancer,
And all cancers, speedily, in our day.

Grant me dignity in the face of suffering and affliction
And bless my family with peace.
Relieve their burdens.
Ease their minds.
Grant me a path to healing and recovery.

Ancient One,
G-d of old,
You are my Rock and Redeemer.

© 2012 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Other healing prayers include: “For Surgery,” “Upon Recovery from Surgery,” “For a Critically-Ill Child,” “For a Critically-Ill Mother,” “For a Critically Ill Father” and “For Healing the Spirit.” Thanks to the friends and family who assisted with writing the series of cancer prayers. Most asked not to be named. You know who you are. I appreciate your wisdom.

If you use this prayer, please take a moment to post a link to your Facebook page, your blog or mention it in a tweet. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.

Cancer Remission

Posted on: July 15th, 2012 by tobendlight

It takes a certain kind of fearlessness to fight the cancer fight. My cousins Marty and Evie had it. So does my friend David Eisenberg, a shining example of courage. David won his battle; Mary z”l and Evie z”l did not. This prayer is for all who have emerged on the other side of the battle.

This is from a series of prayers that I’ve written to be said at various stages of the disease. I’m not posting them in sequence of the disease process. I posted “For Cancer Treatment” when my cousins were diagnosed and two Hospice Prayers when hospice care became their next steps. David’s victory is cause to publish this prayer: for him and everyone fighting this disease. This prayer appears in my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

Cancer Remission
G-d of blessing,
G-d of wholeness,
My cancer treatment has been successful
And my disease is now in remission.
The battle has been long and arduous.
The fight has taken its toll.
I have faced many traumas in this struggle.
I have received many gifts.

As my body and spirit begin to grow stronger,
I turn my energy toward spiritual and emotional renewal.
Thank you for the knowledge, insight and perseverance
Of my physicians, nurses and caregivers
As they worked toward my healing and recovery.
Thank you for the steadfast support of my family and friends.
Thank you for the gift of recovery.

G-d of life,
Grant me strength.
Keep me free of this and any cancer.
Protect my soul and my spirit.
Grant scientists and researchers tools and understanding
To develop new treatments for this disease, speedily, in our days.

Blessed are You,
G-d of gifts and blessings,
G-d of health and healing,
Source of life.

© 2012 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Other healing prayers include: “For Surgery,” “Upon Recovery from Surgery,” “For a Critically-Ill Child,” “For a Critically-Ill Mother,” “For a Critically Ill Father” and “For Healing the Spirit.” Thanks to the friends and family who assisted with writing the series of cancer prayers. Most asked not to be named. You know who you are. I appreciate your wisdom.

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.

For Cancer Treatment

Posted on: September 12th, 2011 by tobendlight

Several of my friends and family members are at various stages of cancer treatment. This is for them and all who are fighting this disease. Options for adapting this prayer to an individual circumstance are shown in [brackets]. To listen along, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows.

 

For Cancer Treatment
Today is the day,
G-d of old,
That I [begin to receive][begin another cycle of]
Treatment for my cancer,
This disease,
This intruder,
This malaise that has invaded my body.

Grant healing power to the [surgery][radiation][and][chemotherapy]
To which I surrender myself with [courage][fear][hope][strength][and] [_______ (add words that best describe your feelings)].
Reduce the side effects
And eliminate any complications from this procedure.
Grant me a full and complete recovery from this disease.
Grant me the clarity to make sound choices for my treatment and my life.
Grant my family comfort and relief.
Ease their burdens and ease their minds.
Grant my physicians insight and perseverance.
Grant my caregivers knowledge and skill.
Grant scientists and researchers tools and understanding to develop new treatments for this cancer, speedily, in our day.

G-d of compassion,
Grant me a path to healing.
See me through this day and the days ahead with dignity.
Strengthen my resolve to live fully and to love deeply.

Blessed are You,
G-d of health and healing.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Other healing prayers include: “For Surgery,” “Upon Recovery from Surgery,” “For a Critically-Ill Child,” “For a Critically-Ill Mother,” “For a Critically Ill Father” and “For Healing the Spirit.” Thanks to the friends and family who assisted with this prayer. Most asked not to be named. You know who you are. I appreciate your wisdom.

Please check out my ELItalk video, “Falling in Love with Prayer,” and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. For reprint permissions and usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” To receive my latest prayers via email, please subscribe (on the home page). You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

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