Runner's Prayer One
>> 5/17/07
Our Father,
Accept our gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this contest and in the larger race of life. We accept with thankfulness the wholeness and well being which running contributes to our living. As running brings pleasure to our lives so may our efforts on this day bring pleasure to you, our Creator.
We give thanks for physical bodies wonderfully made. Help us to exercise good stewardship of the health, energy, and clarity of mind provided for our use. Bless our efforts in training to develop these gifts to their full potential.
Give us the strength to endure and the passion to persevere. Protect us from injury and illness. May we possess courage and character in adequate supply to meet the challenge before us.
Grant each of us the integrity to do our best in the quest to finish well. We can do no more and desire no less.
Thank you for the sense of community created by our common commitment to run. As we seek to realize personal goals help us to also celebrate the accomplishments of others. Grant that we may find joy not only in competition but also in the privilege of running together.
Remind us on this day and through all of life that we never run alone.
Amen.
11 comments:
Thank-you Craig.
Awesome!
"Help us to exercise good stewardship of the health, energy, and clarity of mind provided for our use. Bless our efforts in training to develop these gifts to their full potential."
Clarity in mind would help:) Ususally it is absent somewhere behind mile 15, and completely disappears at mile 27. There is a reason people stop at marathon.
Now if I could memorize it and use it...but then again, I'd need clarity of mind, right? :)
Thanks, Craig. Very neat. I hope you say it for us dorks running this weekend, since we'd be loosing that clarity and ability to think and to talk rather soon.
Precisely what I needed today. I love it. I am printing it now.
You're welcome Michelle.
Olga, I don't think it's necessary that you memorize. The heart can compose its own. Most of mine are more spontaneous in nature than what's printed here. I suspect that in some ways once the miles have stripped away the everyday distractions the heart may express itself more clearly.
I generally spend some time on weekend runs thinking about those who are racing and praying for their safety and success. Partly because of the friendships that have developed through this medium and partly because it gives me a sense of participating in your experiences.
Robb, I wish you well this weekend. I have an idea that the results of your marathon are going to leave me smiling.
Amen, Craig.And thanks for your prayers.
This is beautiful. Thank you.
Trying to catch up on everyone, Craig. I enjoyed the prayer and can certainly use this to help propel me forward into thinking and praying prayers of my own. They have been quite desperate at times lately, but He has definitely been listening and answering.
Thank you Craig for putting your prayer into written words. I echo your prayer. I try to pray while I run. It helps me focus and praise God for the ability and gift of running.
Go bless you.
Jenny
Amen! Thanks for the reminder.
Craig, this is beautiful! Mind If I put a link to this over at my blog? I really enjoyed this.
~Jenniferlyn
I am catching up, and once again find a couple of great reflective posts on your site Craig. Between this prayer and the honesty post I will defintely have some food for thought for my workout this afternoon.
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