4 Simple words

How many times have you said these four simple words, "I'm praying for you?" When you said them, did you really mean them? Did you remember to stop and take time to pray for the person? Did you do it in the very moment, or did you make a mental note to remember them in your bedtime prayers or at the dinner table? Those four words are powerful! If you say them, please mean them!


I have heard the words "I'm praying for you" more times since my diagnosis of Breast Cancer than ever before. Most of the time, the words are spoken by family or close friends but today, I heard those words from a complete stranger and they melted my heart.

The body shop called to tell me our car was ready for pickup. Last week, a big, black lab ran out in front of my husband on his way home from work. There was nothing he could do because of oncoming traffic. Of course, it killed the dog, upset my husband greatly, and damaged our car. The lady from the body shop was probably just a receptionist but that doesn't matter because she represented Christ. As I explained to her our need to have someone from the body shop follow my husband home with car since I was currently unable to drive; I could hear hesitancy in her voice. I continued to explain that I'd just recently been diagnosed with cancer and had just had my breasts removed. A quiet hush fell over the phone and then she assured me that they would work out the details and for me not to worry. I could hear in her voice that she had compassion and I asked if she lived around here. She didn't, but lived in a town close by. I asked if she knew of a good church in this area because we were looking for one, and she said she certainly did. As she gave me the name of the church she attends, she took time to give me service times and information on home groups too. I thanked her and as we ended the conversation, she said, in a very sweet tone, "Mrs. Annis, I'm praying for you."

A complete stranger. Someone I probably will never have the pleasure of meeting, wanted me to know that she would be praying for me. Most people would dismiss those four little words, but I didn't. I take the power of prayer very seriously. I am honored whenever someone tells me they are praying for me. To me, there's no higher honor than to take the needs of others before the throne.

The next time you hear a prayer need and before you respond, don't say "I'll pray for you" unless you really mean it. God holds us accountable for our actions, both good and bad. You'll never know how desperately someone might just need to be reassured that God really loves them and cares about them. I'm thankful that I was that person today and that the person on the other end of the phone was putting her faith in action. "I'm praying for you" isn't hard to say but don't say it flippantly...when you say it, go to the Lord in prayer and lift up the person in need. If you don't know what the specific need might be, don't worry! God knows what the need is and He will meet it in His own special way and time. You may not need to hear those words as often as I do, but they sure mean a lot more to me when I know action follows the sentiment!

© bonnie annis all rights reserved

Insomnia makes a sorry bedfellow

Insomnia, or trouble sleeping, is a common problem for many people, but for patients with cancer, insomnia seems to be a lesser symptom among the many attributed to the disease.  Insomnia can present as difficulty falling asleep, multiple awakenings during the night, or early morning awakenings with the inability to get back to sleep. The potential causes of insomnia are many. A personal or family history of insomnia, the presence of a depression or an anxiety disorder, advanced age, and female gender all put a patient at higher risk of developing insomnia. Factors that may contribute to the development of insomnia include: certain medications, hospitalization, chemo, radiation, or hormonal therapy, pain, hot flashes, nausea and vomiting.

Oh how I long for a good night's sleep! Since having surgery, I've tried just about everything I know and nothing seems to be working. My chest is so raw and tender I can barely stand for anything to touch it. The 14 inch long incisions travel out from the middle of my chest on each side to just past my armpits on my back. My sweet husband has tried to form a wedge shaped pillow mountain hoping I would be able to lie comfortably on it and sleep well throughout the night, but even his most valiant efforts haven't done the trick. Melatonin, Sleeptime tea, Benadryl, ZZZquil, even a glass of wine...nothing allows me to sleep throughout the night. I am soooo tired, and when you're physically tired your mind doesn't function well either.

I'm a side sleeper and always have been. I love curling up on my right side, tucking my arm underneath my pillows and slipping into dreamland. Since my surgery, I physically can't sleep on my side any longer because of the pain involved with my incisions. If I stretch or move in the wrong way, I'm reminded the surgeon recently penetrated not only my skin but multiple layers of tissue and muscle underneath. 

Sleep is designed to help your body rest, recover and repair. A lack of sleep has been proven to be detrimental to your health, in fact, it can even promote tumor growth in cancer patients. So what's a woman to do? Should I try to take a nap sometime today in my recliner? Should I stay awake as long as I can and go to bed earlier tonight? I don't know but I am hoping this cycle of sleeplessness will soon be over. Tonight I'm going to claim Psalm 4:8 " In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust." (Amplified Bible)

Would you say a little prayer that I can sleep soundly too, please? Thank you in advance...

©bonnie annis all rights reserved