Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday Reflection: Praying for a victory
I'm uncomfortable with athletes, players, or coaches praying for a victory. However, I have trouble defining exactly what my problem is with it, and am hoping that some of you can help me either firm up my feelings or dismiss them.
It's very common for people who care about sports to pray for an outcome. By this, I don't mean praying for a good game or that no one gets hurt-- I mean praying that your team will win. Somehow, this seems very wrong to me.
Here is a set of propositions that justify such prayers. Many of you will agree with the first few, but not the rest, I realize. Others will reject them all. However, for those who accept all of them, how can it be wrong to pray for an outcome?
1) There is a God.
2) When we pray, God hears those prayers.
3) God cares about our prayers.
4) Sometimes, God will affirmatively react to prayers.
5) God's reaction to prayers affects events on earth.
6) It is ethical to pray for things that are important.
7) To many people sports are important, and sometimes (as in getting scholarships, etc.), life-changing.
So, how is it unethical to pray to win an important game?
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Unless the athlete has verbally stated that they were praying for victory then how do we know? Most say that prayer is a personal conversation between the person praying and God.
Perhaps they are not praying for victory; especially when involved in a team sport. There is no 'I' in team and if they think there is then they are missing the concept.
Perhaps they are asking God for strength to allow them to play their best on that day; help their team and not become injured.
Now the coach on the otherhand might be praying for victory. But he could also be praying that his/her team can execute the plan they have laid out and that none of the players get hurt during the match.
I'm not sure that someone who prays for their team to win is unethical. If they are praying that something bad happens to the other players then I have a problem.
Perhaps they are not praying for victory; especially when involved in a team sport. There is no 'I' in team and if they think there is then they are missing the concept.
Perhaps they are asking God for strength to allow them to play their best on that day; help their team and not become injured.
Now the coach on the otherhand might be praying for victory. But he could also be praying that his/her team can execute the plan they have laid out and that none of the players get hurt during the match.
I'm not sure that someone who prays for their team to win is unethical. If they are praying that something bad happens to the other players then I have a problem.
Christine-
Like I said, I think people pray for different things. I am confident, though, that some pray for victory.
Like I said, I think people pray for different things. I am confident, though, that some pray for victory.
Prayer is a conversation between the individual and God. It is within that connection that a person's heart and soul are guided-not that God will grant every prayer (desire).
Those prayers (desires) should align with Divine Will. Someone that prays with wrong intentions hopefully will come to understand that through the process of prayer and Divine Guidance.
Not everyone's learning curve is the same, no one is perfect. And maybe, just maybe, at match point the other side in a battle needs a little lesson too.
Is it possible they are praying that within a match of willpower, they are not the "bad" guy?
Those prayers (desires) should align with Divine Will. Someone that prays with wrong intentions hopefully will come to understand that through the process of prayer and Divine Guidance.
Not everyone's learning curve is the same, no one is perfect. And maybe, just maybe, at match point the other side in a battle needs a little lesson too.
Is it possible they are praying that within a match of willpower, they are not the "bad" guy?
# posted by 
: 12:08 PM
: 12:08 PM
Prayer is something I have thought about many times. Here are my thoughts, for whatever they're worth.
God sees and knows everything. He (or She) knows what causes are worthy, and just. He knows what each of us needs to learn and grow, to fulfill whatever path He has for us. I refuse to believe that God ignores worthy causes simply because they aren't prayed on, or that God grants silly/selfish requests--or alters the path He has set for us--because of our prayers.
I think that the only prayer worth praying is that God's will be done, and that we as humans have the grace to accept it and do our best with it.
God sees and knows everything. He (or She) knows what causes are worthy, and just. He knows what each of us needs to learn and grow, to fulfill whatever path He has for us. I refuse to believe that God ignores worthy causes simply because they aren't prayed on, or that God grants silly/selfish requests--or alters the path He has set for us--because of our prayers.
I think that the only prayer worth praying is that God's will be done, and that we as humans have the grace to accept it and do our best with it.
What if players on both teams are praying to the same God for victory?
I mean, ostensibly, the outcome of the contest is important to people on both sides.
It all hearkens back to duels, to me. Let's fight and God shall prove the justice of the victor by allowing him to win.
I mean, ostensibly, the outcome of the contest is important to people on both sides.
It all hearkens back to duels, to me. Let's fight and God shall prove the justice of the victor by allowing him to win.
What about people who pray for victory in other adversarial settings--like political bouts or war?
# posted by : 8:43 PM
: 8:43 PM
Prof -
I agree but in the case of Team USA; the mid-field didn't show up and all the prayers in the world weren't going to remedy that situation.
I agree but in the case of Team USA; the mid-field didn't show up and all the prayers in the world weren't going to remedy that situation.
I think it's wonderful that players recognize that their success depends on God. If they want to pray for a victory, hopefully, they recognize that even though God answers all sincere prayers sometimes the answer is no.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things, I don't know how important a sports contest really is. Probably not very.
Of course, in the grand scheme of things, I don't know how important a sports contest really is. Probably not very.
I have no problem when they Thank God for a victory or a good play or result. It means they are thinking of God. Which is more than can be said of many.
So the same thing is true for those who pray for victory. At least they are praying.
So the same thing is true for those who pray for victory. At least they are praying.
I've been a participant in many pre-game prayers, but I don't recall any prayer specifically requesting a victory. For those who do ask for sporting victories in prayer, I would compare it to my 4 year old praying that he can drive a tractor tomorrow or move to "his house in Idaho." I smile at my kid but hope for future spiritual maturity.
I think sports superstitions are an interesting related topic. I think seeing the movie "Tiger Town" as a kid ruined me for life.
Also, I've always liked the t-shirts about church basketball: "the brawl that begins with a prayer."
I think sports superstitions are an interesting related topic. I think seeing the movie "Tiger Town" as a kid ruined me for life.
Also, I've always liked the t-shirts about church basketball: "the brawl that begins with a prayer."
Anon. 6:11 - Yeah, I botched that phrasing...he's got a pretty healthy imagination and says he has a house in Idaho with a truck that he drives around. I'm pretty sure it's fictitous. Sorry for the confusion.
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