A Breast Cancer A.C.T.S. Prayer

Today, I’m going to offer an A.C.T.S. Prayer for breast cancer. My desire to pray for those dealing with this sickness comes from knowing October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Before praying, let’s examine the definition, risk factors,  detection methods, and statistics concerning this diagnosis. 

What is Breast Cancer?

A Brief Explanation and Risk Factors

Medical experts say breast cancer develops when cells in this organ grow out of control and tumors form. 

Several risk factors can increase an individual’s chance of experiencing this ailment. Risk factors include

1. Being elderly.
2. Obesity.
3. Consuming a lot of alcohol.
4. Family history
5. Previously being diagnosed with the disease.

Tumors that reappear after a previous diagnosis are classified as recurrent. Other classifications of breast cancer are

1. Non-invasive
2. Invasive
3. Metastatic.

A metastatic classification is considered grade three since this is the most aggressive form of tumor growth.

Detection Methods and Statistics

Women can avoid experiencing the metastatic stage with early detection methods. Early detection methods  are

1. Self-examination (which allows you to notice changes in your breasts).
2.  Clinical exam (performed by doctors who are trained to notice warning signs patients cannot recognize).
3. Mammogram (an x-ray that analyses tissue in suspicious areas).

According to Komen.org, a mammogram is the most effective detection method with 87% accuracy.  The good news is women 60 and older are 33% less likely to die from this disease after getting a mammogram. Unfortunately, younger women are only 5-14% less likely to pass away.

Thankfully, women who detect the disease at the localized stage have a 99% survival rate. This is good never as 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Surprisingly, 1 in 726 men will get breast cancer in their lifetime. While this is an extremely low number, this statistic does compel me to take monitoring my health seriously.  A sickness left unknown stifles the possibility of healing.

An A.C.T.S. Prayer for Breast Cancer

A Recap of A.C.T.S.

“A.C.T.S. Prayer for My Healing” mentions how Bill Hybels uses this model to make praying less intimidating. Hybels also uses the model to help petitioners properly reverence God the Father in prayer. 

Reverence occurs when petitioners offer God

1. Adoration 
2. Confession 
3. Thanksgiving 
4. Supplication 

Supplication is the last part of the prayer because we should focus on worshiping God not trying to obtain blessings.

Adoration and Confession

Father God, we worship you today as the sovereign creator of all creation. You are sovereign over every sickness and disease. 

There is no illness you cannot heal. You are Jehovah Rapha our healer. When doctors have no answer or cure for breast cancer, you are our omniscient hope. 

We trust in your ability to heal and make whole in a world broken by imperfection. You are perfect, holy is who you are. But we are unholy and live in a fallen world that faces many afflictions.

The reality of one in eight women and one in one thousand men being diagnosed with this affliction is frightening. A frightening doctor’s report causes uncertainty about our well-being and the welfare of those we love. 

Lord, we love you! But worry can cause us to wonder why you would allow our loved ones or ourselves to endure this trial.

This trial also causes us to doubt whether you will restore our health while we’re alive. Be patient with us as we have to wrestle with the news of this new reality.

In reality, we know you can heal and use this illness as a way to glorify your name. So help us to trust your will amid our unbelief. 

Give us the faith we need to trust that all things work together for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. 

Thankfulness in Trials and Triumph 

Thank you for Paul’s promise in Romans 8:28. His words give us hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Thank you for never leaving or forsaking us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We are grateful for all friends, family, medical staff, and hospital chaplains available to offer support. 

Thank you to the medical researchers and scientists who work hard to determine the causes of breast cancer. They use this information to develop medicines and treatments that help fight this disease.

These methods help prolong life and allow us to hear the testimonies of survivors who can encourage others. 

Thank you for initiatives like Breast Cancer Awareness Month encouraging others to take their health seriously. We are grateful for early detection methods that help preserve life and make the effects of this cancer less severe.

Thank you for using research for this article to teach me that men can also experience breast cancer. I believe this knowledge will save my life and the lives of other men I know.

 There are many organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation raising funds to help patients win the fight against this health crisis. I am thankful for their diligence and passion for helping patients.

Thank you patients who didn’t receive their healing on earth. We know those who believe in you are whole and at peace with worshiping you in heaven (Revelation 21:4)

Supplication and Celebration

We ask that you comfort those whose loved ones have transitioned to heaven because of breast cancer. Help them cherish their memory and learn from the legacy they left. Help those dealing with grief reach out to relatives and professional support systems that can constructively deal with their pain. 

Give them the willingness to continue advocating for breast cancer awareness to help preserve someone else’s life. 

For the lives of those living with the diagnosis, we ask that you

• Preserve their bodies from the effects of chemo and other treatments.
• Give the courage to face each day with a hopeful mindset.
• Increase their faith to pray and trust you.
• Grant rest and help them rely on their support system when they feel weak. 
• Help them experience their healing while they’re alive so they can be a testimony to others.

Allow breast cancer survivors to also be a testimony and a guide for patients navigating this new health condition. Give survivors the wisdom necessary to maintain their health and the awareness to know when changes in health require checkups.

Grant doctors the wisdom to properly diagnose, advise, and treat their patients. Comfort medical staff who have to give losing patients while caring for others. Compel others to donate money, time, and resources necessary to overcome this disease. 

Help survivors testify about your goodness so a lost soul can find salvation in Jesus Christ. In His name, amen!

I hope this prayer encourages you! Do you have a special prayer concerning breast cancer? I’d love to read it in the comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!