“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”—1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

Typically, my first post for the year is about what word and scripture God has revealed to me. Last week, I wanted to encourage you to start some kind of Bible reading plan. I figure as long as I get it written in January, I am doing good. However, I am delaying it one more week, due to something heavy on my heart.

16 years ago, when we moved into a home in a new town, we never expected to become such good friends with our next-door neighbors. Not only did we develop a close friendship with them, but they are our son’s in-laws as well. I cannot even convey how special it is to share our grandson with them.

Melody is one of the sweetest, kindest, godliest women I know. I am truly blessed to call her, friend. I know if I reach out for her to pray for me, a family member or friend, she will do it. She leads a healthy lifestyle, so when she was having some unexplained upper stomach pain around Thanksgiving none of us were that concerned.

Initially, her doctor thought it might be her gallbladder and sent her for a sonogram. The sonogram revealed a mass on her pancreas that led to an MRI and biopsy. The biopsy results revealed pancreatic cancer. She will start chemo treatment this week. Just typing the word, cancer, is hard for me, I can only imagine what is like for her to say it.

She is giving thanks to God that it isn’t stage 4, which is the case for many before they know they have it. The chemotherapy will shrink the tumor so they can surgically remove it. It will be an arduous 4 months for her going to her treatments once every 2 weeks for 6-8 hours each time.

She knows the power of prayer and can feel every one of them. This is why I am writing about this…for her…the more intercessory prayers going up on her behalf, the more peace she feels. Prayers for the side effects to be minimal. There is a 30-40% chance of hair loss. I am praying she be the 60-70% that doesn’t experience it.

Despite her diagnosis, she is in good spirits. You can see the peace of Jesus in her eyes. I know God is going to use her to minister to others who are on the same journey as her and don’t know the Lord. I honestly don’t know how people can deal with this without having Jesus as their hope anchoring their soul.

Of course, I went up to my craft room and picked out some pretty yarn to start a prayer shawl for her (featured in the photo). The plan is to have it finished and prayed over by some of her sisters in Christ before she starts her chemo this week.

While I am not always working on this in silence, when I do, I am focused on the Lord and covering her and the shawl in prayer. I am going to be making chemo headscarves and extra prayer shawls for her to give to people she may meet. She is at one of the best cancer centers in our area having confidence in her team of doctors/staff. Her faith, love and hope will not go unnoticed by all who come in contact with her.

If you have any friends or family members that have cancer and our going through treatments, let them know you are praying for them. Let me know. I will say a prayer for them. Comment on this blog or my YouTube channel so others can say a prayer for them as well. Intercessory prayer is powerful. They are what give us the strength to get through another day when we don’t think it is possible.

Father God,

I lift up sweet Melody and any others who have recently been diagnosed with cancer as well as those going through treatments. When she/they are weak, give them the strength to get through each day. You are Almighty. You are the Master Healer. You are the Prince of Peace. I ask for healing of bodies, minds and souls. I especially pray for those who don’t know You. I ask for you to soften their hearts to be open to hearing about Jesus. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

January Verse

“It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace.” —Psalm 133:1 (CEV)
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make