Contact: Dane Rose, Faith and Action, 202-546-8329, ext 106, 703-447-1072, DaneRose@FaithAndAction.org

WASHINGTON, Mar. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), president of the National Clergy Council and chairman of the Committee on Church and Society for the Evangelical Church Alliance, America’s oldest association of Evangelical clergy, released this statement today in response to the announcement by Senator John and Elizabeth Edwards regarding her health:

"In spite of the rough and tumble of politics and the serious differences many of us have with John Edwards the candidate, it is the responsibility of every Christian to pray for Mrs. Edwards and the whole Edwards family. At times like this people like me need to suspend political conflicts and simply care for those in need. The best and only thing any of us can do for the Edwards family is to pray for them, and I commit myself to do that."

Rev. Schenck said he sympathizes with the Edwards' health crisis because his own wife suffered with cancer 25 years ago.

Rev. Schenck will travel to the deeply troubled region of the Sudan and Darfur this week as part of a delegation of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy. He said he will ask Christians in Darfur to join in praying for Elizabeth Edwards, her husband and their family.