40|50 Project: 40 Days To Heal A Nation’s Racial DivideSample

Day 12: Resurrection Life

“Lord, he whom You love is sick.”

I pray the words of Mary and Martha back to the Lord (John 11:3). They’re referring to their brother Lazarus. I’m referring to my husband, Kevin. 

Jesus responds, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God would be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

The first year of our marriage, Kevin is diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in the form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He has six months of chemotherapy, every two weeks, before he is pronounced cancer-free. We still rejoice, eighteen years later, that the Lord used the chemo-cocktail to wipe out the cancer. Yet, during that time, I petition the Lord daily to replace death with life in Kevin’s body. 

“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus tells Martha shortly before He raises Lazarus from the dead. Most days, facing life and death, chemo and nausea, this truth is all we have to stand on.   

Our entire belief system in Christ can be boiled down to the understanding that He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus gives His life – dies and is resurrected from the dead - that we may have eternal life in Him. Jesus conquers death, and He is Life. 

How does knowing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life change how we pray during this 40-day fast and prayer? How does it change how we approach racism in our nations? 

PRAYER

Lord, You are the Resurrection and the Life. We believe You are the Christ, the Son of God, and You have already conquered death once and for all on the cross. Please teach us how to apply this truth to what’s going on in our countries today surrounding racism and violence leading to death. Please protect us and our families from harm, in Your Name, Amen.