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Josh Tesh Speaks to the Power of Prayer: ‘We’ve Been Given a Gift’

John Tesh Speaks to the Power of Prayer: ‘We’ve Been Given a Gift’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Longtime entertainer John Tesh explained how prayer profoundly impacted his life and why he wants to share its power with those around him.

“It’s like we’ve been given a gift,” Tesh said. “I believe that when Jesus took our sins, our griefs and sorrows, He also took our sickness. [Prayer] is not only about having faith, but having the expectation that when you reach out your hand and touch the garment of Jesus, you’ll be healed.”

Tesh’s belief in the power of prayer comes from personal experience. In 2015, he was diagnosed with cancer and given only 18 months to live. After over 40 years in the entertainment industry and numerous accolades, including six Emmys and two Grammy nominations, Tesh was ready to hang up his hat. His wife, however, was not ready to give up and spurred him to aim higher.

“I was told to get my affairs in order and I started doing that,” Tesh said. “I thought, I’m 62 years old. I’ve got a nice marriage. I had a great career. But my actress wife [Connie Sellecca] said, ‘No, this is not us.’”

“So, we landed on Mark 11:23 from the Bible, which says, ‘Whoever says mountains be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says will be done shall have whatever he says.’ To me, that is the power of prayer,” he added.

Nine years later, Tesh is cancer-free thanks to his faith. He is now an advocate for the power of prayer and the impact that the faith of a mustard seed can have on a person’s life. In his memoir, “Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purposes, Grit, and Faith,” Tesh shares his testimony but also speaks to the reality of the suffering he faced while getting better.

“We got really smart and started finding doctors who could help save my life. But I was not prepared for the suffering,” he told Fox News in 2021. “I was pretty much ready to just take myself out, grab some weights from my backyard and strap them to my ankles and jump in the pool. I was a terrible, terrible patient and the only reason I was able to get out of that was my wife who not only was my advocate but also helped introduce me to some powerful scriptures.”

Movieguide® previously reported:

Former ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT host John Tesh is reflecting on how his faith changed his perspective after doctors gave him just 18 months to live. 

Tesh was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, and doctors warned him that he would have, at most, two years to live. 

He soon became disheartened, drinking and abusing medication to cope with his feelings. However, after hearing a CD about divine healing, Tesh realized the power of God’s love. 

“God wants you well,” he explained. “It’s the other guy down below who really would like to kill, steal, and destroy.”

Tesh went on to say that this thought helped get rid of the “why me?” mindset that many have when faced with struggles. 

“The biggest change for me was … Romans 12:2, which is, ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,’” he said. “It’s a very simple sentence.”


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