Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall recently announced on Facebook that he has cancer, and sought the help of all his fans and friends by praying for him.
He wrote that doctors found a solid mass in his right kidney and that they are 90 per cent sure it is cancer. They are going to remove the kidney on March 11, so there is hope that the cancer will be totally removed along with it. "Please pray for healing and for God's peace for my family," the singer asked.
That simple request from Mark turned into a massive prayer movement, as thousands of inviduals have now prayed for his health and for a successful operation. Fellow Christian singers have expressed their concerns and asked their fans to pray for Mark too.
Michael W. Smith posted a picture of Mark on his Facebook page with the hashtag #prayingforMark. "Would you please join me in praying for my good friend, Mark Hall (of Casting Crowns) is in a battle with cancer. Praying with great faith for a complete healing!" Smith wrote.
Mandisa shared the same photo on her own account and asked her fans to pray for him too. She captioned it with the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 12:26a: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it..."
Christian rock group Kutless did similarly on their account and wrote: "Join us in #prayingforMark CC and Mark have been great friends and support to #Kutless through the years and we are trusting that All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28."
Different radio and news stations have also given their support to Mark. He made an appearance on Joy FM's The Morning Cruise to share the news about his cancer, and the radio station has since been asking their listeners to pray for their "dear friend."
KSBJ told listeners not to discount the power of prayers as it has the power to transform lives. "News like this can be devastating and discouraging, even for someone who walks faithfully with God. Mark's been an encouragement to all of us over the years. Now it's our turn to show him how much we care and how much we love him," it said.