Reason 2 for 40-days of Prayer & Fasting

• Genesis 50:1-3 (NKJV) Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him, and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

The second time that forty days are specifically pointed out was when Joseph buried his father, Jacob.  We are all familiar with the burial customs of the ancient Egyptians.   In the days of Joseph the normal time it took for the mummification process was forty days.  As I think about that I think of the many people that have never taken the time to stop and really grieve; to process the loss of someone or something in their life. 

Many people have never really processed the loss that resulted in a dysfunction childhood or a divorce or a life-altering accident, sickness or job loss.  Others have never taken the time to really lay to rest the loss of a dear loved one.  Bottom line there are many issues that are like radon in our lives.  If you will recall, radon is an odorless gas that can collect in our homes and bring harm and even death.  There are many of us that have a silent killer in our lives.  Maybe you have unresolved grief lying quietly in the background of your life and it is killing your joy and peace of mind.  It clouds your days with an overcast of sadness that has become such a normal feeling that you don’t even realize it.  But it is hurting your relationship with those you still have.  It is making your life less productive and fulfilling. 

My prayer is that this 40-days of prayer and fasting will be a time for you to really process the losses in your lives; to take the time to grieve properly and then find peace.

But there is more.  This 40-days can also bring a conclusion to your grief.  Not that you would ever stopped loving and honoring the loved ones in your life that have preceded you to the grave, but there comes a time that we are called upon by God to step into new life and new possibilities.  The angel asked those looking for Jesus in the tomb, “Why are you looking for Jesus among the dead?” 

It is my prayer that for many, this 40-days will be a season in which they can slow down enough to really deal with some losses in their lives, lay them to rest and then step forward into a new day and a new life.   

_david l. kemp