Prayer Lessons ITG
Everyone knows the drill. The alarm goes off, you get dressed, drive to the AO, put in work, name-o-Rama, pray. Rinse and repeat.
Pray. Hmmm, that one stands out.
What I have seen and learned in my time at F3 is that we as men need male bonding, that is no surprise, but we also need God, and we need prayer. The male bonding part is easy, and I can honestly say my closest friends of all time are men I’ve met in the gloom. They’ve helped me grow, as a man and in my faith. Many of them might not know it, but it wasn’t just going through the motions, it is how they live life, and how they pray. To see how they have walked with God is truly an inspiration.
No one ever said life was easy, and the men at DogPound have seen all the bad, divorce, overdose, car accidents, death, sick kids, sick wives, job loss, and most recently the ongoing battle with cancer. There has also been much joy to combat the bad which is always a blessing. However, what has stayed with me is how these men through everything good and bad, has been to pray. Prayer has been a focal point in everyone of those situations. Praying together in gloom. Praying alone about those in need. A text message or post requesting prayer. A reminder to pray for someone. Day to day through adversity, celebration, and whatever comes their way, they remain calm and steadfast not only in their actions, their undying trust in God, their support of one another, but in how they pray.
I wanted to share because prayer hits home for me. My biggest fear about leading my first Q wasn’t the exercises, cadence, not even the public speaking. But public praying? Well that’s not my thing. I’ll be the first to admit even now when I pray it still isn’t fancy. I’m not eloquent like Junk or La-z-boy. I don’t have Bible verses come to me during prayer. I still say “uh” a lot, and there are lots of awkward pauses. I’m basically still one step above the old faithful “Now I lay me down to sleep…”. For me, I know I have never left the BOM thinking “dude, I rocked that prayer”. But truthfully the men in my Wolfpack have taught me that doesn’t even matter. What I’ve seen is that it’s not about how you pray, where you pray, what you pray, but it is to just to pray. Just pray. Taking time to speak with God. Thanking him for all that He has given you, good and bad, and then laying your joys and concerns at His feet. Submitting, asking, and allowing for His plan for our lives.
I believe God always answers prayers. Always. It might not be the answer we want, and it might not be when we want it, but He answers. He opens doors while closing others. And because of that He just wants us to pray.
It took me a long time to understand that, and I am thankful for these men who have helped me.
“pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17