given to the BJU student body and faculty in Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium during an afternoon praise service,
Day of Prayer,
November 12, 2003
“On November 21, 2002, I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor that the cancer specialists described as inoperable. The diagnosis was a shock to my husband, John, and me because I’ve exercised, tried to eat healthfully, and had regular checkups. Despite the initial prognosis, the specialists suggested two months of chemotherapy and radiation in an attempt to shrink the cancer to a size that could be removed surgically.
Within hours after my husband sent out a prayer request, prayer was offered for me at BJU, here at church, in the churches of family and friends around the country and eventually in churches around the world. Though my husband and I felt weak and overwhelmed by what lay ahead, we were brought before the Lord by many who upheld us in prayer. Our situation has been parallel to that of the paralytic in Mark 2 who was brought to Jesus through the roof by four men whose faith the Lord honored.
In February, the radiologist who had weekly been cautioning me with the words “if surgery is even an option” was happy to pronounce me eligible for surgery. My testimony was that prayer and the grace of God accomplished what seemed humanly impossible.
During the 6 months of chemotherapy following surgery, doctors and nurses continually expressed surprise that I had so few side effects and that I felt strong enough to exercise and even go hiking in the mountains. Again, my testimony was that prayer and the grace of God were the reason.
Following my last scheduled chemotherapy treatment in September and a CT scan in October, the cancer specialist said he couldn’t be more pleased with the results and even gave me a hug. I know that a remission is not necessarily a cure; but, as the Lord gives me each day, ‘I will rejoice and be glad in it.’ During the last eleven months prayer and the grace of God have enabled me to trust that the Lord was holding me by His right hand and to accept the surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments as coming from the merciful hand of God for my good. ‘My heart and my flesh fail [me], but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.’ To God be the glory!”