It might surprise you to know
that on a typical Fall Friday night in the USA there are young men praying all
across the nation. Why you may ask - football. Baseball may be the national
pastime for some, but down South football’s almost a denomination. Even though
many, like the ACLU (Anti-Christian Liberty Union), have done all they can to
ban prayer it’s still a common practice for most teams before a game. This practice
works well to illustrate a salient point concerning prayer.
Some folks say they have lost faith because
God doesn’t answer their prayers. Let’s look at two opposing championship playoff
teams to find what may be the cause. Playing that fateful day were the A’s and
C’s. Both teams consisted of kids that were good kids for the most part. Both
teams had coaching staffs that had the normal drive for victory as well as a
concern for the youth they led. Both Coaches were Christian.
The coach for the A’s
called the team together and said he’d like a moment for a prayer. He said it
was okay if anybody didn’t want to pray: they could just observe a moment of
silence to the think their own thoughts. The coach’s prayer basically went like
this, “Almighty God, we come before you tonight in praise and supplication. We
thank You for our health and for the freedoms we enjoy. For all that allows us
to be here tonight. We thank you for the talents and skills you have given us.
In the strength and glory of our youth let us always remember You. Grant us
tonight that we play fair and with honor. We ask that You protect us tonight
and that none be hurt; and, that if one is to be hurt, we ask that You use the
hurt in way that serves You. For Your Glory Father, let the best team win. Amen”.
The coach for the C’s
called the team together for a moment of silence. He said he was going to say a
personal prayer, and that any that cared to could join him. His prayer
basically went like this, “Heavenly Father, these young men have worked long
and hard to be here tonight. They are a good bunch and they listen well. They
know what’s expected of them tonight. We know with Your help all things are
possible. We ask that You keep us safe tonight and lead us to victory. Amen”.
As you can see there was
quite a difference in the way the Coaches approached prayer, as well as how and
what they prayed for. The A’s Coach called for a moment of prayer. He placed
God before being politically correct. His prayer focused on thanking God for
what He had done to bring the team to where they were. He asked that no matter
who got hurt or who won that it served God’s purpose. The B’s Coach started out by
playing it semi-safe and being politically correct to a point, by calling for a
moment of silence. His prayer focused on what the team had done to get where
they were. He, perhaps unintentionally, implied that they deserved God’s help to
get what they asked for - safety and victory for the team.
Which one sounds more likely
to go unanswered? Now here’s the twist. Both teams had a star player critically
hurt; but, that story will have to wait for Part II.
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