Runner's Prayer Three
>> 6/11/08
Our Father,
On this day some attempt to do what they have never done before. Others attempt to improve on past accomplishments. We pause to ask your blessing on our collective efforts.
We do not know what lies ahead on this day any more than we know what lies ahead on any other day. Every race, like life itself, is an unpredictable adventure, a process of embracing the unknown.
Defeat and success are both possible outcomes. We have trained and prepared so as to avoid the former and achieve the latter. Grant that we may draw from the resource of miles logged and find sufficient strength for the task before us.
We ask that you protect us from the unknowns while at the same time giving us courage to face them. Remove fear and anxiety that would cloud our judgment. Grant us wisdom and common sense for the decisions that lie ahead.
Some of life’s races must be run alone from the strength which comes from within. Others must be run by drawing energy from one another. In your providence help us to discern the places where each is appropriate.
Guide us through this day and the race set before us. Help us to run in such a way that at the end of the course there will be no regrets. While seeking to do our best help us to be compassionate with those who run with us.
May our efforts communicate more eloquently than words our gratitude for the gifts of health and vitality with which you bless our lives.
Amen
8 comments:
And in to the drawer it goes. Love it...
Your prayer was thoughtful, moving, insightful and very touching. I am competing in IM CDA next Sunday and if you don't mind would like to post in on my blog (with a link and a thanks of course).
Take care.
BOP -- That's always a good thing. Thanks Michelle.
Al -- Thanks for stopping by. Since I don’t race, the prayers posted from time to time are an attempt to support friends who do (Bighorn and WS are getting close).
I would be happy for you to post the prayer at your place and hope it will be meaningful for others.
I wish you the best in your IM race and will look forward to reading about the experience.
I printed and passed along Prayers I & II to a running friend a couple of months ago. In turn, she baked the most delicious choc chip cookies and dropped them at my door. I hope Prayer III brings more of those! (I'll put them in the mail to you - Ha!)
Beautiful, expressive thoughts...words - your inspired trademark Craig.
I'm glad to see you've created the Prayers Sidebar. Have a great Texas weekend.
Craig,
This is a great prayer. May I use this on my blog as well :)? A reference will be going back to you as well :D
Robb – Thanks for the kind words. I don’t mind your reaping an unexpected blessing for passing the prayers along. Especially if you share the cookies with the boys.
My thought at first was to write one prayer per season. But when the second was written a third started to take shape as well. While polishing the third a fourth started forming. So at some point there will be another...
I did create the sidebar for the prayers and also for the stories from the Africa trip to make both easier to find and read. Glad you noticed.
Cliff – I wish you the best at Binbrook and look forward to reading your report. You've come a long way since I started reading here in both tri and spiritually. It's always good to see the growth in a friend.
Feel free to post the prayer. I'm honored that you would ask to use it.
Thanks for the access to the Runner's Prayers! There was a Runner's Prayer that I came across years ago before running my 100 miler, but it has since been lost. Your versions are equally fitting and appreciated greatly.
Thanks Rob. Glad they are helpful.
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