Cancer Prayer Litany for Weekend of Hope

For three years now, our congregation has participated in the American Cancer Society’s Sunday of Hope (PDF link) supporting Relay for Life of Butler County. (We’ve called a “Weekend of Hope” because we also have a Saturday worship service!)

Here’s the litany and prayers for people affected by cancer that I put together three years ago. The first year I tried including this in the general prayers of intercession, but we’ve discovered that having this as its own thing works better. This year we had the sermon, then a special music song, then this litany and more prayers with reading of a list of names “In honor of” and “In memory of” then another special music piece.

Prayer Litany for Cancer

We pray for our friends and relatives who have been affected by cancer. We pray for all who need your healing. Send your Holy Spirit with healing.
Come and bring healing, O Lord. 

We know that your grace is made perfect in weakness. Give us the faith to trust in your loving faithfulness even in the midst of tragedies and grief, in the face of the new diagnosis and the painful memories. Send your Holy Spirit with peace.
Come and bring peace, O Lord.

We remember those who have been taken from us by cancer. We mourn for couples torn apart, for parents remembered with love, and for children gone too soon. Send your Holy Spirit with comfort.
Come and bring comfort, O Lord.

We pray for all who are fighting cancer, for family and friends, for doctors and medical teams, and for caretakers and hospice workers. Send your Holy Spirit with strength.
Come and bring strength, O Lord.

We trust that even in this broken world full of suffering, you are still at work, O God. We pray for those who are overwhelmed or in despair, those who grieve, and all who suffer. Send your Holy Spirit with hope.
Come and bring hope, O Lord.