In a week marked by prayer and worship In Israel and prophetic declarations at the Gaza border, Chip Kendall says he witnessed God’s divine orchestration in the release of hostages held by Hamas
It’s not every day you find yourself worshipping on Mount Carmel with thunder rolling overhead — especially when there’s not a cloud in the sky. But then again, this wasn’t an ordinary trip.
Around 70 Christian influencers from across the globe — representing the USA, Brazil, Australia, and the UK — recently gathered in Israel at the invitation of Eagles’ Wings, a ministry dedicated to rebuilding bridges between Christians and Jews. The group included some of the world’s leading Christian artists, pastors, and worship leaders, all united by one purpose: to worship and to pray for peace.
From the first moment, there was a sense that heaven itself was orchestrating every detail. On Mount Carmel, where Elijah once called down fire from heaven, we lifted our voices in worship — and as we sang, supernatural thunder echoed across the mountain. No rain, no storm clouds. Just the unmistakable rumble of divine presence responding to our praise.
Another day, three boats were linked together on the Sea of Galilee for what became one of the most powerful encounters I’ve ever experienced. There was prophecy, spontaneous worship, and the tangible presence of God hovering over the water where Jesus once walked. He was still choosing to work with normal, everyday people and whispering, “Peace, be still.”
In that moment, the global Church became one voice, one heartbeat. We weren’t just tourists; we were worshippers joining the ongoing story of redemption that began on those very shores.
Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem
Our visit also coincided with the Global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem — followed by Awake Jerusalem, a vibrant worship gathering held in the historic David’s Citadel in the Old City. Over 1,000 people packed into the venue; another couple hundred were turned away simply because we’d reached capacity.
As music filled the ancient stones of Jerusalem’s walls, I couldn’t help thinking of Psalm 122: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may those who love you be secure.”
For one glorious night, it felt as though every nation and generation was answering that call. And during one significant moment of worship, we all felt the mist of rain on stage. Another sign of his supernatural blessing.
One of the most sobering moments came exactly two years after the October 7 tragedies. We visited the Nova music festival site, now a place of deep mourning and sacred remembrance. There, surrounded by grieving Israelis, we began to sing ‘The Blessing’ over them.
As we sang, tears began to flow — first from the crowd, then from us. One woman later told us she hadn’t cried in two years, not since that terrible day. But when the song began, something broke open. The walls of pain she’d built to survive began to melt in the warmth of God’s presence.
It reminded me so vividly of another moment — watching Michal Herzog, the wife of President Isaac Herzog, weep during our meeting at the President’s Residence just days earlier. The same compassion, the same shared humanity. Different place, same tears.
Declarations at the Border
That same day, we travelled south to the Gaza border, where we stood together and made a bold declaration: “To the Pharaoh of Gaza, we declare that the God of Israel says, let my people go!”
It was a prophetic act of faith — our way of standing with the families of hostages still held captive. None of us could have imagined how quickly God would move in response.
Just days later, news broke that — through a breakthrough deal brokered by President Trump and his team — all the living hostages were being released and returned home to Israel. The timing was beyond coincidence.
On the Monday the hostages came home, my new song ‘Tears in Your Eyes’ (co-written with Chris Granzow, aka TheTimeTravlrs, in the Maoz Music Studio) was released on Spotify — the song inspired by our meeting with President and Mrs Herzog. One of the lyrics reads: “And now they’re coming home today.”
As the headlines began to pour in, I just sat there in awe. The very words I’d written out of faith had come to life before my eyes. God had orchestrated it all — the trip, the tears, the thunder, the timing.
From worship on Mount Carmel to the shores of Galilee, from the Nova site to the halls of the President’s Residence, one theme kept repeating: God still weeps with his people — and he still moves when we pray.
When I saw Michal Herzog’s tears, I knew they weren’t just hers. They were his. Tears for the wounded. Tears for the waiting. Tears for the world.
And as Israel’s sons and daughters came home, it hit me: we weren’t just witnesses to history — we were participants in prophecy.
So yes, I cried. We all did. But maybe that’s exactly how heaven feels too.
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