“How can we pray for you?”
It’s a question I’ve been asked dozen of times these last few months, and the kind of question often asked of anyone facing a health crisis or other adversity. It’s a great alternative to “The Three Worst Things You Can Say to Someone Battling Cancer or Any Kind of Adversity.”
But, to be honest, responding to that question has been difficult for me.
Sometimes, my answer comes quickly.
Sometimes, it’s just too painful to speak about what I’m carrying at the moment. And, I’m working on that.
Now I know what my unwavering answer will be every time I’m asked:
Will you join me and #PrayForZero? [Tweet this]
Over the course of the last week, we’ve received some difficult news. Just 100 or so days after my own diagnosis, my father has also been diagnosed with cancer.
I’d ask that you pray for my father, Bill. And please pray for my mom, Marjane, whose only child (me) and husband of 46-years are now battling cancer side by side.
We don’t know many details yet, and it will be some time before doctors run further tests and determine a course of action. But we are confident in Dad’s medical team here in Denver.
Every cancer is unique. Even my recent experience doesn’t apply to the choices that he will need to make. I’m doing my best to focus on the big picture, not the billions of details.
I’m thankful for friends and family who are joining us in focusing on the big picture. It alleviates the burden of feeling like I need to find the one specific answer to cure his disease. Or, that he should follow someone else’s treatment plan.
I’m working hard on tuning out noise: the Google searches, the kind (yet often kind of scary) suggestions that strangers have for treatment, the magic cure (what’s with all the almond milk elixirs, anyway?).
I know the noise will not bring healing.
But I know God can.
God is bigger than the noise.
Will you join me by committing to #PrayForZero? Pray that at the end of treatment (or sometime much sooner!) there will be zero cancer cells left in our bodies.
#PrayForZero is a prayer for anyone who has faced cancer. We join together, praying for zero, praying for the miracle that every last cancer cell will be eradicated forever. [Tweet this]
Thank you for your friendship, love, and support.
Still fighting with joy,
Margaret, Leif, and Hershey
Always praying, always smiling. #PrayForZero
BIG HUGS,
Nicole
I am praying for you Margaret and for your family. You are making such an amazing impact for Christ in this world. As a sister in Christ, I will uphold you and your family in prayer …zero cancer!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Will keep praying for zero.
Margaret, Leif, and Hershey,
There are no words in the dictionary to express how my heart feels right now. “I’m so sorry” does not express enough. I am truly sorry you, your dad, and your family are going through this and will be praying for all of y’all. I would love for there to be ZERO cancer in the world. Know that you and your family are loved by many. Praying for Zero . . . Lorna
Margaret and Leif,
In the mercy,
through the grace, and
out of the great love of the Almighty God,
I am and will be praying for zero. Daily.
Darrell
Oh Margaret…Be encouraged in the midst of it all…you are RIGHT “God is bigger than the noise”(not only the external “noise” but that internal noise that it is so tempting to listen too)…May His voice drown out all the other noise and may His comfort and joy and the very truth of all He truly is be louder and sound more beautiful than anything else in your life
I pray for zero for you and your Dad and I pray for Leif and your Mom.
Debbie
Praying for you. Thanks for sharing.
God’s love, joy, peace and ZERO!
Continuing to pray—now praying for zero for you and your dad. Love to you, Leif, and Hershey.
I am praying for zero.
Thank you for allowing all of us–most of whom have never met you–to come alongside of you and join with you in prayer.
I am also praying for Zero cancer.Will be praying for your family. I too am battleing cancer, I quit googleing subject on internet, too many differances.
Consider it done! Many words are not needed..reminded now of your suggested 3 word prayers!!! He infuses life into every word that is offered (in faith, even as small as a mustard seed)! PRAYING FOR ZERO!
Dear God embrace our friend and her loved ones at this most difficult time!
Rhonda
Praying for zero….without ceasing.
Praying for zero cancer cells and total health recovery for you and your father. Praying for wisdom from God be given to all your health care professionals on how to best treat you and your father. Praying for God given strength and comfort for you and your father and spouses and caregivers. Praying for God to fill you with His healing power and love and joy and peace.
You are precious and dearly loved.
Honored to join with you all in praying for zero for you & your dad.
You are loved… you are thought of… you are prayed for. I can’t imagine it all but I know God has.
Margaret..my prayers are with you and Leif. I know Leif and Coke and Gary from Sitka. I watched Leif grow up. We have a compassionate, merciful God who will send you the daily manna in the form of Grace, Peace, Strength to get you through this trial.
Lots of prayers and love for you and your family! My mother-in-law and father-in-law battled cancer at the same time so I appreciate the special challenges facing your family in the days ahead. You are wise to turn down the noise. Hugs!
Wow…as The Lord brings you to mind…I will add your dad to those prayers and oh for grace and peace for your momma…
Oh, dear Margaret, I am so sorry to hear about your daddy! I will be praying for you both. Blessings, Laurel
A hard season for and your family, Margaret. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. I love this truth “I know the noise will not bring healing. But I know God can.”
Amen!
Hi Margaret. I thought of you when I read these verses from Deuteronomy 33 this morning. I’m praying for zero for you and your father.
26 “There is no one like the God of Israel.
He rides across the heavens to help you,
across the skies in majestic splendor.
27 The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you.
He drives out the enemy before you;
he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’
Never before in my life have I prayed for zero. None, nada, nil, zilch. Nary a one. Not a breath or a hint. Not a shadow or a specter. Not even a whisper. May God destroy all cancer cells in your and your father’s body. May we soon rejoice in His great glory as we #PrayforZero
Much love,
Felecia
Son of God, have mercy on Margaret and Leif, Bill and Marjane. #prayforzero
I hate cancer. I just hate it.
Thank you for sharing how we can pray for you and now your mom and dad. Will be praying for 0 from now on. Love to you, Leif and Hershey!
I am Praying.
Praying #prayforzero for you and your Father.
Praying a big zero for all involved.
Praying for 0 right now for you and for your father.
Margaret,
I am praying for zero for sure.
Reading your book has been such a blessing to me and God’s not done with you yet!
He will raise you up to abundant health that you may do even greater exploits for Him!
Your dad is also hugged by our prayers. The Lord loves and listens.
Praying on dear.
Beryl and Joe in Cape Town, South Africa.
Margaret,
I will be lifting you and your father up.. It’s never easy for anyone to deal with cancer let alone have to deal with the fact that now yoyr dad has it too. But God is faithful He will carry you both.. I would like to be so bold ask to ask for the same prayer, too never get a reacurance of Breast Cancer.. Zero!! I’m just finishing radiation and so believe that I’m healed and believing it for you too..
Absolutely. So very sorry.
I was in bed last night asking God to please show me how to pray for you and some other people who are going through various trials (two of whom are also battling cancer). So, my heart just swelled with recognition of God’s faithfulness when I saw your post in my in-box. Praying for zero from now on – for you, your Dad, Anne Marie Donahue, and Gary Davis.
Margaret
Praying for zero for you & dad. And the peace that transcends all understanding for you all.
Praying ZERO for you, Margaret and for your dad also.
All things are possible with God.
You. Are. Loved.
Joy balloons and hugs for now…
Yes Margaret, I will definitely pray for zero. I will be praying for God’s healing over you, your family and all who have been diagnosed with cancer. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Erin,
I am praying. 16 years ago I faced ovarian cancer. I know the staring down fear in the face and the questions and silience and all the things that swirl, the things people say and they don’t. And the faith that also transcends. Sending love.
Oh Margaret, my heart is with you, my knees are pressed into the floor boards. My family is lifting you both up. Sending lots of love your way.
Praying here for ZERO also. Immeasurably more Jesus, than we can ask or imagine according to your power at work within…
From halfway around the world- praying for ZERO!
Praying for zero in Jesus’ name!
Praying for zero, and praying this verse for you and your father: “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength.”
~ 2 Timothy 4:17a, NLT
I will add your mom and dad to my prayer list and #prayforzero.
I am praying for zero. I’m also praying that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.
You and your family have my continuing prayers….hugs!
I am praying for zero times two. Love you my friend.
I’m praying for you and your father, Margaret!
Praying for zero for you and your father. Praying also for however The Lord leads me to pray and trusting in his guidance in prayer and blessing for you.
Margaret, Dear sister, I am praying for zero for you, your daddy and for all my friends fighting the fight, Sondra, and others! I stand with you and ask our precious Lord for complete and total healing! God bless you and keep on my friend. I love you and look forward to hearing the words, cancer free!!! Halleluia!!
Praying for Zero.
My prayers are with you, Ms. Feinberg as well as with your father, Bill. Your messages have brought such healing to me in difficult times. I now pray that the Lord will heal you and your father, and remove all of the cancer cells from your bodies. Lord, God, may every cell, organ and bone in the bodies of Margaret and Bill be restored to health. Amen. God Bless you and hear our prayers!
Praying continually and fervently for Zero!
Claim it . The Lord has control of all things, even Zero.
Praying for Zero for you and your dad and for peace and comfort for your family!
Praying . ..
I am so happy that you are at zero!! I kept you in my prayers when thoughts of you came to me. I met you at Grace Chapel and will see you there Saturday, Jan. 11th. I am so looking forward to seeing you again. I will keep praying for you and your father too. Your books have helped me greatly. God bless you and keep you healthy in this New Year!!
As a 3-time cancer survivor (yes, 3!), you and your dad will have my prayers. Take heart, this battle can be won! Our unchanging Father holds you in the palm of his hand. His love for you is bottomless. His desires for your life are beyond your imagining. Rest in Him. Abide in His love. Ask Him only that His will reign in your life and in your dad’s. You can’t go wrong when you do this, my dear. Any, and I mean any, other prayer only limits what He wants to do for you. It took me three trips through Cancer to learn this lesson.