Cancer Companions

Day 166 of 365. Battle Ready #5 of 5 - Christ, A Prayer from the Heart by Thomas Sherrod.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

The day did not go as I had hoped. A young student at the adolescent mental health unit where I worked had violently threatened several staff members and myself. Throughout the day he refused several overtures for conversation from staff members. He eventually initiated an incident and had to be restrained. How unfortunate! However, as I reflect on this encounter some 45 years later, I see a slightly different picture. He remains the only student whose full name I remember. I have prayed for him periodically over the years and wondered what became of him. He would be in his early sixties now. I will continue to persevere in prayer for him. On a positive note, I do not recall him having any more severe outbursts the remainder of my time working there. Maybe we made a difference in his life. However, I was glad I was prepared for a possible confrontation. If we had not taken his threat seriously, he may have done harm to a staff member or himself. I do not demonize him, for he fought with his own demons. As Christians, Paul instructs us to always be ready, knowing what we are up against in this world.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/battle-ready5-of-5-prayer-from-the-heart

Day 165 of 365. Battle Ready #4 of 5 - Christ, Steeped in Scripture by Thomas Sherrod.

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV).

Arriving at the troubled adolescent hospital unit, I prepared my mind before walking through the door. The violent threats I had received the day before from one young man were still fresh in my mind. The proper clothes would be of little benefit if I did not have a healthy perspective. Who knows what the young man’s night had been like? He may have reconsidered his actions. He may be ready for reconciliation. I did not know. All I could do was be sure of my motives and intentions. At first glance, he did not appear to have had a good night. The scowl on his face and the tension in his body spoke volumes. I prayed he would be receptive to our efforts to reach him.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/battle-ready-4-of-5-steeped-in-scripture

Today is the final day of the Cancer Companions Prayer-A-Thon -- and we are ending it with full hearts and deep gratitude.

1,400 prayers offered. 140% of our goal.
14 out of 14 prayer teams raised funds. Every single one.
$18,225 raised -- and we are just $1,775 from the finish line.

This is the last day to help us close that gap. If you have been on the fence about giving, today is your moment. Every dollar goes directly toward ensuring no cancer patient walks alone -- not just this week, but all year long.

Give today and help us finish what we started: cancercompanion.org/hope-builder-form

Thank you for every prayer. Thank you for every dollar. Thank you for showing up.

Day 164 of 365. Battle Ready #3 of 5 - Christ, A Shield of Faith by Thomas Sherrod.

“…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:15, 16 NIV).

When I worked at an adolescent mental health unit, I typically wore dress shoes. On this day I was wearing tennis shoes, since they would be more suitable in a scuffle. A young man with a history of violence had leveled a direct threat to me and a few other staff members the day before. I trusted it was important not to shy away from the young man’s threats. Dressed in my flannel shirt, a leather belt, laced-up tennis shoes, and a trust in God, I was going to work. I had compassion for the young man, realizing he was acting out of fear. However, I was not going to be naïve. I would not provoke him in any way, but I would be ready in case he acted on his promises.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/battle-ready-3-of-5-christ-a-shield-of-faith

We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Here is what YOU are helping make happen during the 2026 Cancer Prayer-A-Thon:

🙏 1,400 prayers offered for cancer patients. 140% of our goal.
🎉 14 out of 14 prayer teams raised funds. Every single one.
🩵 $18,225 raised -- and we are SO close to the finish line.

We are just $1,775 away from our $20,000 goal -- and we believe this community can close that gap.

If you have not yet given, or feel led to give one more time, today is the day. Every dollar goes directly toward ensuring no cancer patient walks alone.
Give now and help us finish strong: cancercompanion.org/hope-builder-form

Day 163 of 365. Battle Ready #2 of 5 - A Firm Foundation by Thomas Sherrod.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:14 NIV).

I knew I was possibly in for a tough day. Yesterday, a young man from the adolescent mental health unit where I worked had leveled a direct threat to me and a few other staff members. I was dressing for work. What would I wear? I decided to be ready for anything. A thick flannel shirt with a leather belt were two of the items I chose to don for the uncertainty ahead. Who knew if I would be confronted with physical assault? The young man was obviously hurting and in need of emotional care. However, with his history of violence, the risk of a physical altercation was real. My eyes were open, and I was prepared.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/battle-ready-2-of-5-a-firm-foundation

Halfway through the Prayer-A-Thon — and look what God is doing. ✝️

📊 Prayers offered: 1,380
👥 Prayer Champions: 83
💛 Total raised: $13,225

Three days of faithful, intentional prayer for cancer patients. Two more to go. If you have been praying this week, THANK YOU. Your consistency is a gift to every person on your team's prayer list.

Do not stop now. Wednesday is a great day to finish strong. 💪 cancercompanions.org/prayer-a-thon

Day 162 of 365. Battle Ready #1 of 5 - Be Strong in the Lord by Thomas Sherrod.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13 NIV).

After college graduation and before leaving for seminary, I worked as a counselor in a hospital for troubled adolescents. In many ways, it was an eye-opening yet sad time. I saw what a lack of love, guidance, and family structure can do to a young person. There were a lot of angry teenagers trying to process some complex and conflicting emotions. One afternoon a particularly irate sixteen-year-old young man got into a physical altercation with a few staff members. He became verbally threatening at the end of our shift, daring us to return the next day. My blood pressure was definitely elevated as I left to drive home. What was I going to do? I was scheduled to work the next day. The young man was obviously disturbed and had a history of violence.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/battle-ready-1-of-5-be-strong-in-the-lord

Day 2 of the Prayer-A-Thon and the prayers keep coming. 💜

Here is where we stand:
🙏 1,380 prayers offered so far
👥 83 Prayer Champions praying
💛 $13,225 raised for cancer patients

Cancer patients across the country are being lifted up by name today. Thank you for being part of this. Share this post and invite one more person to pray with us before the week is over. https://cancercompanions.org/prayer-a-thon

Day 161 of 365. Near to Me by Ashley Taylor.

“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear’” (Lamentations 3:57 NIV).

When I received my breast cancer diagnosis, I wanted to first do what was necessary to rid my body of the disease, and then, to hopefully prevent the disease from coming back. When I heard the words “chemo” and “double mastectomy,” I could not say that I immediately declared, “Sign me up.” However, through prayer and discussion with my family and my medical team, I felt complete peace with the plan to treat my cancer. At the time, I did not give recurrence much thought—because I was doing all I could to prevent it.

Read the full devotional at https://www.cancercompanion.org/365-devotional-blog/near-to-me