The Place of Prayer In Athletics

In some circles, prayer and it’s place in athletics could be considered a controversial topic. How appropriate is it for a team to come together in prayer before competition? Why do we pray before competing? How do we pray? Is coming together in that manner being too public with the possible adverse effect of bringing attention to ourselves?

Actually, we will address those specific topics next week. First, I would like to look at the foundation for a meaningful prayer life as an individual Christian. What does God, the Father desire for us in our relationship with Him? How can that relationship be enhanced through intentional and consistent prayer?

Watching a rocket being launched into Space is a phenomenal experience. The sights and sounds of the combustion of the fuel, the explosive fireball, the slow lifting of the mammoth rocket from the launch pad and the deafening roar as it climbs upward are captivating.

As explosive and powerful as a Space bound rocket might be, there are certain obstacles that challenge a successful launch. A major encumbrance to launching a rocket is gravity. A lot of physics has to go into getting that hunk of metal and whatever else off of the ground. The Space Shuttle weighs 4.4 million pounds at launch.

It takes a lot to reach for the stars and to try to touch the heavens. What about reaching out to God? How much effort is involved in launching a robust prayer life? And, if we are going to experience all of what God has for us on this earth, we need to look to Him first.

If a rocket is to be powered to the moon, there has to be ignition. If our prayer is going to reach the ear of God, we have to have ignition. God wants to launch us into a whole new experience in prayer but there are things that hold us back. Like gravity, there are hindrances to a successful launch in prayer.

What will ignite the Church to a successful launching of heartfelt, Holy Spirit lead prayer. I’m thinking that there are three gravitational pulls on the Christian that keep us from launching into a vibrant relationship with God that drive us into the dimension of prayer that He has engineered or designed for us.

The first encumbrance is Guilt. How many of us are not praying because we are so overwhelmed with guilt because we have not been praying! Hey, just look at I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So, is “not praying” a sin? No, I don’t think so. But, we exaggerate it in our minds to the point that it feels like sin. Just look at the principle of this verse: He will forgive us. He will purify us. So, go to Him and pray. It’s not Rocket Science. : )

2nd encumbrance? Fear. “I’m afraid that I’m not good enough.” I am afraid because I do not know what to say.” “I’m afraid because I may not have enough faith.” “I’m afraid because…” Remember, it is not the amount of faith that counts here. Wasn’t it the faith of a mustard seed that could move mountains? It is faith, “just” faith. Because,
“…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Seek Him and the fear will go away. It’s not Rocket Science, here.

3rd encumbrance? Here is the Big One! Now, this obstacle is not going to be readily recognizable. We will have a tendency to point out this obstacle in others before we see it in ourselves. But, it has the greatest gravitational pull in hindering a successful launch into a vibrant and meaningful life of prayer. It will take us some time to examine this encumbrance. And, we will do that next week and see that overcoming this obstacle will be instrumental in helping us find a place for prayer in athletics.

Prayer: Father, we really want to draw closer to you. We want to sense your presence in our lives every day. Your Word tells us that you will draw near to those who draw near to you. (James 4:8) Help us to overcome the obstacles in our path and launch into a new universe of possibilities in renewal and refreshment of spirit.