Deb Gonnam: A Faithful Phil’s Friends Prayer Warrior

I was introduced to Phil’s Friends on Grandparents’ Day at my grandkids’ school in the fall of 2024. At one of the stations, we colored Cards of Hope and helped pack a care package. The presenter told us other ways we could get involved as well, and I gave him my contact information expressing interest in joining the Prayer Team.

Praying is something anyone can do, regardless of age, location, or physical abilities. I strongly believe in the power of prayer, and I have faith that God hears each one. The verse that always comes to mind is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

After joining the Prayer Team, I received a copy of Phil’s book, “Seeing the Good In It.” Before I even finished reading it, I received an unexpected cancer diagnosis of my own. What began as an interest in Phil’s story then became real inspiration for me in my own journey with cancer.

I underwent surgery in July of 2025 and am currently going through chemo treatments. I feel even more connected now with those we pray for each week.

Each week, the 40-member Prayer Team receives a list of Care Package recipients’ first names, ages, and their locations. I usually pray for them by age groups, as there can be different needs at each stage of life. The list usually has around 200 names. It’s overwhelming to think that these are only patients whom someone has requested a Care Package for. There are so many others afflicted with cancer than we will ever know. But God knows.

Knowing that everyone on the Prayer Team is lifting these names before the throne gives me hope that the love of Christ is felt by each patient and that each will come to know Him as their Lord and Savior, if they don’t already.

I love the Christian component to the ministry of Phil’s Friends. It strives to be the hands and feet of Christ by showing love in practical ways, as well as sharing the Gospel and addressing spiritual needs. When I had been praying for a ministry to get involved in, it was God’s perfect timing that led me to Phil’s Friends. Now He has laid it on my heart to become even more involved. Once my treatments are finished, I hope to engage my church in supporting this ministry by making blankets and port pillows, coloring Cards of Hope, purchasing Care Package items, and possibly attending pack events.

I am blessed to be a part of the ministry of Phil’s Friends, and I’m excited to see its growth and impact continue.

If you would like to become a prayer warrior on behalf of the cancer patients we serve, please contact Paula at paular@philsfriends.org.