Written by: Riley Dulaney
Ideal Program Alumni 2019
XC/Track Manager 2017-2019

As Christians, we are to "Pray without ceasing" as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says. We are also to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of Christ Jesus in you," as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says. My prayer life might look different than yours. I've seen an uptick in my prayer life recently and it was not just specifically for myself. In a Friday morning Bible study I attend, we start with about 5 minutes of prayer for the group that is present or people that the group knows. I go above and beyond praying once a week, I go to bed every night praying not just for myself but for others as well. I will usually pray for my friends that are still in or around athletes or athletics in general. I will typically say or think something to the effect of "Lord, please keep the (insert sport) team or (insert athlete's name) from the (insert sport) team safe and free from injury". If I'm the one praying at my bible study, I will most of the time personalize the prayer request. I historically was bad about praying. But thanks to my bible study and also the 555 card I have gotten better at attempting to make time to pray. Most of the time it slips my mind and I forget to pray that day. I'm distracted with all of the different things that I do on a daily basis. I'm then reminded that I get to pray not that I have to pray.
 
To wrap up, Here's some other verses on prayer
 
"Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." -2 Chron 7:15
 
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy." - Philippians 1:4 
 
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people." - 1 Timothy 2:1