FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pamela McClure, 615.595.8321
June 15, 2006 pamela@mmpublicrelations.com
DOCTORS GAVE HIM Only 30 DAYS TO LIVE -- SO HE PRAYED
20-year Survivor Found Hope & Healing In History’s Greatest Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever.
DES MOINES, IA — It was December 1984 when Greg Anderson received the dreaded prognosis, “The cancer is back. I give you about 30 days to live.” Not knowing what to do as his body wasted away to just 112 pounds, he began to pray familiar words and ponder their meaning: “Our Father who art in heaven . . .“ Greg Anderson marks that prayer as the central point in his recovery from an almost-certain death sentence. The historic prayer was first uttered by Jesus when teaching his followers how to pray, and Greg had recited the prayer thousands of times in church as a boy. Yet these ancient lines held fresh meaning as he prayed daily and began to experience unexpected healing. Spiritual, emotional and, yes, physical healing. More than twenty years later, Greg Anderson is cancer free. He still prays the Lord’s Prayer every day.
Now Greg Anderson shares the story of his cancer recovery, including what he calls “prayer treatment,” within the pages of Cancer and The Lord’s Prayer: Hope & Healing Through History’s Greatest Prayer (Jordan House/Meredith Books, $9.95, October 2006). Anderson explains that cancer opens many doors—including the patient’s heart—and he urges every cancer patient to incorporate daily prayer into their cancer treatment. “Why do I think this discipline will change your health and life?” Anderson says, “It’s because of my experience and the similar experience of hundreds of other cancer survivors around the world with whom I’ve shared these principles. National studies verify that prayer positively affects healing. And I am living proof of it.”
Greg Anderson and his wife, Linda Kamp Anderson, founded Cancer Recovery Foundation in 1985. The organization offers help and hope to cancer patients around the world via a wide range of resources, tele-conferences and support groups. But Anderson is convinced that no cancer recovery program is complete without prayer. “Living in a constant state of awareness of God’s Presence changes hearts and minds. And perhaps even your health. It did mine.”
Cancer and The Lord’s Prayer examines the Lord’s Prayer phrase by phrase, extracting wisdom and insight for the cancer patient’s recovery process. Anderson teaches readers to pray the familiar words in a new and daring way, seeking spiritual and emotional healing. He offers specific encouragement to every reader, based on the words of the history’s greatest prayer:
§ Our Father: “Note that Jesus said ‘Our’ Father, not ‘My’ Father. He is teaching us the truth that we are all children of one Father. ‘Our Father’ implies that we strive for peace and goodwill toward all . . . and that we are to pray not only for ourselves.”
§ Hallowed be thy name: “While hallowed has several meanings including holy and sacred, it is actually derived from the word “healed.” For cancer patients, this is very good news, indeed.”
§ Thy will be done: “As cancer patients, we assume that perfect health in a short period of time is the best thing for us. But is that really what’s best?”
§ Give us this day our daily bread: “For the person going through cancer, dependence on the Lord is exactly what we need. It doesn’t mean we refuse conventional treatment but it does mean we come to understand God as the source of all healing.”
§ Lead us not into temptation: “On your cancer journey, you can expect moments of weakness. But remember that even in the midst of your need, you can find spiritual growth.”
Cancer and The Lord’s Prayer arrives in stores this October during Breast Cancer Awareness month. Greg Anderson is available for interviews; contact McClure Muntsinger Public Relations (615.595.8321) for more information. Anderson has been interviewed by numerous national media including ”Good Morning America,” CNN and “The Today Show.”
About the Author
Greg Anderson is a 22-year survivor of 30-days-to-live lung cancer diagnosis. He is Founder and CEO of Cancer Recovery Foundation (www.cancerrecovery.org), a global affiliation of nonprofit organizations now operating in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He is the author of nine books, including Cancer and The Lord’s Prayer, The Cancer Conqueror and Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do. Greg and his wife, Linda, live in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and have one daughter.
Jordan House, an imprint of Meredith Books, publishes nondenominational, faith-based, Bible-based books aimed at helping Christians live out their faith in their everyday lives—at home, at work, and in their communities. Our books take a positive, affirming approach to topics that include parenting, family life, relationships, health, inspiration for women, life issues, personal growth, spiritual life, and unique devotionals.
Meredith Books is a division of Meredith Corporation (www.meredith.com), one of the nation’s leading media and marketing companies. With more than 400 books in print and nearly 290 million books sold, Meredith Books turns great brands into books. Brands such as TLC®, HGTV®, The Home Depot®, Disney®, the Food Network and Better Homes and Gardens, and products such as Trading Spaces, American Chopper, Miracle-Gro and Scotts trust Meredith Books to produce best-sellers that capture the essence of their brands.
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June 15, 2006