Jerusalem, June 5, 2008

Daniel E. Kennedy

It is difficult to put into word what it feels like to join hundreds of people for prayer at the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem. This morning, I was blessed with the privilege to take the names of tens of thousands of people to this Holy Place to petition God for healing. As I prayed, a Rabbi asked me what was written in the large prayer book and when I told him that they were the names of those who have struggled with cancer, he placed his hands on the book and said a traditional Hebrew blessing of health and prosperity.

I spent one hour quietly praying and speaking the names of those who had asked me to intercede for them.

As I closed my eyes, I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against the wall and puting my hand in the gaps between the stones that make the wall. I thought of King Solomon dedicating the temple. I meditated on II Chronicles where it is written that the glory of God filled the temple so powerfully that no one could go in. I began to lift up praises to the Almighty and thank Him because today, our hearts are the temple where God chooses to dwell. I declared the promis of II Chronicles 7|:14 asking God to heal our bodies and to heal our land. I asked God to heal all of those who had lost someone to cancer and to grant wisdom to physicians and scientists to healp them find breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

I took a moment to thank God for healing my father of cancer almost 13 years ago. I thanked God for healing Batya Segal, a friend of the ministry who lives in Jerusalem and has been healed of cancer. I praised God for all who have been healed.

I had a chance to pray again at the pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the young man born blind. It is the place where the Lord taught us that in the midst of illness, God's work can be made manifest. As I was praying over the names at Siloam, I met a man from South Africa who lost his wife from cancer. I told him that I would pray for him as well. After we spoke he said, "I don't think it was by chance that we met." I will keep in touch with him as he is a counselor and shared great insight on the emotional issues people face when they have cancer.

Later in the day, I carried the prayer book through the streets of ancient Jerusalem and walked part of the Via Dolorosa. It was very hot and my arms were feeling weak because the book weighs nearly 20 pounds. The thought came to mind of Christ carrying the unbearable weight of a cross through the same streets where I was walking. I was reminded of the true motive of why we can go to God in prayer and ask for healing. It is because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. It is by His stripes that we are healed.

I am hoping and praying that next year, I can return to Jerusalem on the 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Cancer Prayer Day. As the plans are made, information will be posted on www.cancerprayerday.org for all those who wish to make the journey and pray for the healing of millions of people who are facing cancer.