The family of evangelist Luis Palau, diagnosed recently with stage 4 lung cancer, has said the cancer has spread but that he and his wife Patricia 'remain absolutely at peace in the Lord'.

Writing for the family on the website of the Luis Palau Association, Palau's son Kevin said: 'It has been so encouraging to see hundreds of thousands of people praying for Dad and reaching out in various ways. Almost 2 million people watched the short video we shared in English and Spanish. We thank God for you all!'

He said they were encouraged there was a 'clear diagnosis and treatment plan', saying 'We're trusting God to guide every step of the way.'

He revealed the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and spine and could not be treated by the 'newer, more targeted treatments'.

'The plan will be for a regular regimen of chemo for the next two months to see if that can slow it down. At that point immunotherapy could be an additional option,' he said.

Kevin Palau said the hope was that 'this treatment would allow at least a year for Dad to keep being the amazing blessing that he is to all of us. His big dream, and one that now seems very much in reach, is to be able to go with [son] Andrew to both Bogotá, Colombia in August and Grand Rapids, Michigan in September to preach the Good News.

'Thanks for your continued prayers and support.'

Palau, born in Argentina in 1934, is regarded as one of the most significant evangelistic figures of his generation and was a protege of Billy Graham. He was estimated in 2007 to have shared the gospel with around 25 million people in 70 nations.

When his diagnosis was announced Bishop Efraim Tendero, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, said: 'We pray for Dr. Luis Palau and his family, including his wife Patricia and his sons Kevin and Andrew who lead the Luis Palau Association, the organization Luis founded and led, giving many years of faithful and outstanding service to the Kingdom of God in world evangelization.

'When one thinks of world renowned evangelists who have made remarkable global impact through the faithful preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the name Luis Palau is ever present. We trust that Luis will be blessed to know that evangelicals around the world and the WEA family will be standing with him in prayer.'