Football season is over. March Madness has begun. A couple of phrases you will hear from either sport when the competition gets serious references a “hail Mary pass” or “he threw up a prayer.” Since we are in March Madness, consider the close games that are sure to come. The game is down to a couple of seconds. The players have practiced, drilled, and fought to be in this game. They are not novices. Yet, when the game is tied or the team with the ball finds themselves down by a point, there may come a time when a player will “throw up a prayer” from mid-court. In these instances, the phrases are depicting mere chance. The player has to launch the ball in the general direction of the basket, but just hopes the ball goes through the hoop.
This came to mind today. How many of us “throw up prayers” when we have done all we can and still find ourselves short of the goal? Perhaps we studied, practiced, worked hard, fought a good fight, but now it’s out of our hands. The future comes down to “a hope and a prayer.” If it goes in, we pass the test, or we win the battle, then God came through for us. If not, “where were you God? Don’t you care? Look how hard I worked.”
Hopefully we don’t push our Father off until the last seconds of the games of life. Hopefully we don’t look at prayer as a game of chance. Jesus has created for us a “sure thing.” By His death and resurrection, we have peace with God and the assurance He is with us always. Jesus told us that if we, being evil, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them who ask? Father wants to give us Holy Spirit, His Presence. This is not just for game end. This is game on. Our prayers become a “can’t miss.” He has promised to hear and answer. Trust Him.
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Knowing that Father hears and answers my prayer is a game changer. How would meditating on that fact change your approach to the game, how you play, or the calls you make when the game seems to get close?
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