Toby Keith Reveals How His Faith Is Helping Him Through His Stomach Cancer Battle – ‘I Just Pray’

The country music star Toby Keith has been battling stomach cancer ever since the fall of 2021, and he revealed his diagnosis to the world in June of last year. In a new interview, the 62 year-old singer is opening up about how his strong Christian faith is helping him through this battle.

‘I Just Pray’

Before being honored as the first recipient of the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday night, Keith told Fox News that he is doing “alright” as he keeps fighting cancer.

“I lean on my faith and I just pray and lean into it,” Keith said. “You gotta’ do what you gotta’ do, and I don’t know how people do it without faith … that’s what I did, it was my rock.”

Keith went on to say that he is hoping to return to performing this fall if “everything goes good.”

“I feel pretty good,” Keith told E! News. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and gown. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”

‘Pretty Crazy’ To Receive Icon Award 

Keith then humbly added that he finds it to be “pretty crazy” that he’s being honored with the Icon Award.

“30 years of all the songs I wrote, and they’re flashing by ya pretty quick,” Keith said. “30 went by pretty quick … I’m glad they’re recognizing our accomplishment.”

Keith was given the award by his “old friend” and fellow country music star Blake Shelton.

“He’s who I would’ve chosen,” Keith said of Shelton. “He’s an old friend of mine, I was his first tour when he came out. We remain friends, we’re a lot of like … kindred spirits kind of thing.”

Related: Country Music Star Toby Keith Gives Update On His Cancer Battle – ‘You Have To Prepare’

Keith Accepts Icon Award

When Keith took the stage to accept the award, he thanked his family, his fans and God.

“I want to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight,” Keith said, according to The New York Post, adding that his Lord and Savior has been “riding shotgun for a little while” with him over his career.

Keith went on to thank his “beautiful” family and team, saying that he wouldn’t be where he is today without them.

“Everybody that’s all behind this thing,” he said. “All the great musicians that have played on all these albums, in the studios, they’ve poured their heart and soul into what I do.”

“Most of all, I want to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do,” he concluded.

Check out Keith’s full speech in the video below.

Related: Now Liberals Want To Cancel Old Toby Keith Song For Being ‘Pro-Lynching’

Keith ‘Feeling Pretty Good’

Back in June, Keith said that he was “feeling pretty good” after the tumor in his stomach shrank by a third.

“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend… [but] you never know with cancer, so you have to prepare,” he said at the time. “I’ve got more wind. And I’m thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere, just to see if I can get through two hours.”

We’re glad to see that Keith appears to be in such good spirits amidst his cancer battle. With God on his side, Keith can do anything, so we hope he continues to lean on his faith as his cancer battle continues.