UNSELFISH PRAYERS!

 Do you pray for your sports teams? I know that is kind of a strange question. My answer is that YES, I HAVE PRAYED THAT MY SPORTS TEAMS would win. Now that I look back on those selfish prayers, I wish I would have changed those prayers. I am not sure I would consider myself a SPORTS FANATIC but I love my teams. THE YANKEES and ALL IU SPORTS dominate my television viewing. But should we pray that THE HOOSIERS will  beat OHIO STATE this coming weekend? I mean scripture does say you can take anything to the Lord in prayer.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6)

If we focus on this part of the scripture that says "pray about everything" and ignore what it says surrounding those words, we miss the point. We are told not to worry about anything and then it says "Tell God what you need." Am I worried about the football game outcome? DO I NEED the HOOSIERS to win? My attitude has changed about these selfish prayers. No, I will not be praying against the Buckeyes this weekend, even if I am strongly cheering for their defeat!

PRAYER is the foundation of our faith. When Matthew 7:7 says, ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK, I am not sure that is talking about the BIG TEN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. When 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our cares on the LORD, is NCAA football what he was talking about? What do you think? Should we pray for our favorite team to be victorious? OR, is that a selfish request?

When I was sharing the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth yesterday. I emphasized that I don't think Zechariah was praying for a SON when he came into the HOLY PLACE. I believe his righteousness would lead him to pray for ISRAEL. He would come before the LORD selflessly and ignore his own wants and desires. I believe he was praying for his nation and NOT his desire for a son. But GUESS what GOD knew his personal prayer and he answered both:

"But the angel said, 'Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a sone, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth." ( Luke 1:13-15, NLT)

God answered prayers from Zechariah's heart. I am not going to tell you not to pray for the HOOSIERS. But, maybe we should change the prayer. Maybe we should pray for GOD'S WILL. Maybe we should pray that GOD BE GLORIFIED and LIFTED HIGH even in the middle of this athletic contest. Maybe our prayer should be for the salvation of the teams and players. Maybe we should pray that the HOLY SPIRIT works within the hearts of the young men on both teams. Pray that they will depend upon the LORD in either defeat or victory. 

The HOPE OF CHRISTMAS begins with GOD HEARING OUR PRAYERS, both spoken and silent. God heard the cries of Israel and Zechariah. God's plans far exceeded Zechariah's prayer and expectation. AND even though they did not recognize it, ISRAEL GOT THEIR MESSIAH!

Lord of Heaven, I praise you for your patience with me. You know how selfish we are, even in our times of prayer. You know our hearts before we even speak a word. You know our love of sports and entertainment. Help us not to be so consumed with those activities that we forget the real mission, sharing the gospel of JESUS. Help us to stay focused on glorifying your name and praising you whether in victory or defeat. Thank you Lord for your love, mercy, grace, and kindness. I praise you for answered prayers. In your precious name I pray... Amen!

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