Bethel, the US megachurch, is calling on members and Christians around the world to pray for its senior leader Beni Johnson as she battles cancer.

Beni, along with husband Bill, leads the church which has received worldwide acclaim for its worship music and its supernatural ministry.

Speaking to the congregation at Bethel's Redding campus on Sunday, pastor Dann Farrelly called for persistant prayer until there was a complete healing of her illness.

He spoke of it being a "serious situation" with Beni not sleeping and struggling with breathing.

The church has now set up an online 24/7 prayer calendar so she can be covered in prayer.

On the website the Church is asking that people "pray for Beni's complete and total victory over cancer".

Bill and Beni have 3 children and 11 grandchildren.