Tim Tebow Requests Prayer for Ravi Zacharias as He Battles for His Life

Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has requested prayer for speaker and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, who likely does not have much longer to live. Calling Zacharias one of his “heroes in the faith,” Tebow also asked his followers to comment and share how the apologist has impacted their lives.

“I’m just so grateful for Ravi and his life, and our friendship and everything that he has helped and mentored me in,” said Tebow, “and I just want to share so many of these stories, how he’s touched your life, how he’s touched my life, to be able to encourage him before he goes home to his forever home with his heavenly father.”

Tim Tebow’s Tribute to Ravi Zacharias

An emotional Tebow told his followers, “I think it’s really important in life to have heroes, and especially in the faith, and one of my heroes of the faith is a man named Ravi Zacharias…and he’s not doing very well.”

Earlier this year, Ravi Zacharias underwent emergency back surgery and experienced severe pain during his recovery. He learned shortly afterward the pain was due to a rare form of cancer called sarcoma, located in his sacrum. At the end of last week, Zacharias’s daughter, Sarah Davis, shared an update saying there is nothing more the doctors can do. While the cancer in her father’s sacrum has responded to the chemo, the cancer that has metastasized in another area has worsened. Said Davis, “His oncologist informed us that this cancer is very rare in its aggression and that no options for further treatment remain. Medically speaking, they have done all they are able.”

People from all over the world have expressed their condolences and prayers for Zacharias and his family. Tebow’s post has received thousands of comments, as many have shared how the apologist helped them grow in their faith and ministered to them while they were walking through dark times in their lives.

“I call him uncle Ravi though we are not related,” said one woman in response to Tebow’s post, “because he has a tremendous influence in my life. From a non believer to a believer. He has spoken truth and his ministry has blessed me tremendously.” She added, “I am glad we have met once in Malaysia and that was a divine God moment for me.”

“Because of Ravi,” said another woman, “I went from a meek believer who was afraid of confrontation and questions about faith to blossoming into a God-fearing woman who seeks the correction and wisdom of the Lord and those in the body.”

One man shared how Zacharias helped equip him for ministry as a young pastor.

Just wanted to share this message in regards to my friend & hero of the faith, @RaviZacharias. Please join me in prayer for Ravi & his family as he battles cancer. Also, if Ravi has touched your life or inspired you, please leave a comment to maybe encourage him & his family. pic.twitter.com/v9kDbhHAgh

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) May 8, 2020

Ravi Zacharias was known for tackling some of the toughest worldview questions that are posed about Christianity, such as “Why doesn’t God stop evil from happening?” Numerous people described how the apologist has helped them walk through their doubts and skepticism. One man said, “I learned about Ravi at a pivotal time where I contemplated walking from my Christian faith…Needless to say he bridged the mind and the heart like no other and answered the deepest questions I had on origin meaning morality and destiny.”

Another said that Zacharias “is one of the reason [sic] that I found myself going to church again after falling away from God.” Yet another commented, “Ravi, you made it so easy for an ex-skeptic like me to believe and keep my faith in the Risen King. thank you and our family is praying hard for you.”

Others shared stories of times in their lives when they were full of despair, but Zacharias’s words brought them hope. Said one Twitter user, “Ravi pulled me out of an encompassing darkness in 2017. I’m not sure I would still be here if not for his words.”