Praying for the coach

From TheReason4Hope.com

How do I pray for the coach who is now a hurt player?

One of the most influential people in my spiritual life is seriously ill. Suddenly a man who has led prayer for much of his life needs prayer. How do I pray in this situation where the roles feel like they’ve been reversed?

I am doing my best but I am wondering about a God and a universe where this can happen to one of his hard-working people.

I am sad and mad. I think that means I am human.

I am thankful that I have my faith as a resource.

I am pretty sure that the onset of the disease is not personal. I believe God has something up her/his sleeve in this situation and what this is is not my business. I can pray about my preferences for how this plays out but I have to let go of my expectations.

I pray my friend’s body will be strong and recover. I pray my friend’s spirit and mind will be strong and he will be praying and come to terms with his new circumstance. I am saying prayers of gratitude for the skilled medical staff, the amazing technology and facilities that are available.

I am praying for help praying. I’d appreciate your comments.

About Mark Perrin

I’m a member of St Martin’s Anglican in Calgary and a director of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer. I’m an engineer by training and consult in the oil patch doing engineering, IT and finance work. I am married and have three children. At church I’m an intercessor and participate in our healing prayer ministry. My spiritual life includes Christianity, the healing arts of Qi Gong, Reiki and Shamanism, and a curiosity about how creation works. In my spare time I occasionally post to this site, play with motorcycles, guitars, computers and model trains.

View all posts by Mark Perrin →

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4 Responses to "Praying for the coach"

By Stephen Laskey January 4, 2013 - 3:44 pm

Mark, I like your use of ‘coach’ here. I think we pray as the coach coached us to pray. Jesus taught his disciples to pray. The coach knows the pitfalls and the sturggles we will encounter and shows us ways to overcome these so that our prayer continues in spite of how we are feeling and especially when we are unsure. When we do this, the coach knows he has done his job.

By Jesse Dymond January 4, 2013 - 6:28 pm

Well said, Stephen. You remind me that the apostles were most definitely struggling to pray, just as they watched the one who taught them how suffer (and probably just as the coach prayed for his own mentors).

When I think of it that way, I remember that many of questions are less about “how” as they are about “why”. And asking those questions can feel pretty lonely. But whatever the outcome, Mark, we know that God will be with your coach every step of the way. And with you, too. I’ll be adding you to my own prayer list, and I trust that others will do the same.

By Mark Perrin January 5, 2013 - 4:13 am

Thanks Guys! You’ve reminded me that many many others have been where I’m walking at the moment.

The “why is this happening” question is on my mind a lot and I try to balance it with “thy will be done not mine.” It is hard to let go of my preference for the outcome. I’ll just keep praying.

By Mark Perrin February 9, 2013 - 5:43 pm

The coach is taking on a new role. It looks like he’ll be showing those of us close by how to die. He has come to the realization that his remaining time in this life will be better if he declines further treatment. IMHO that was a very brave decision. Perhaps that was lesson 1.

By Stephen Laskey January 4, 2013 - 3:44 pm
Mark, I like your use of ‘coach’ here. I think we pray as the coach coached us to pray. Jesus taught his disciples to pray. The coach knows the pitfalls and the sturggles we will encounter and shows us ways to overcome these so that our prayer continues in spite of how we are feeling and especially when we are unsure. When we do this, the coach knows he has done his job.
By Jesse Dymond January 4, 2013 - 6:28 pm
Well said, Stephen. You remind me that the apostles were most definitely struggling to pray, just as they watched the one who taught them how suffer (and probably just as the coach prayed for his own mentors).
When I think of it that way, I remember that many of questions are less about “how” as they are about “why”. And asking those questions can feel pretty lonely. But whatever the outcome, Mark, we know that God will be with your coach every step of the way. And with you, too. I’ll be adding you to my own prayer list, and I trust that others will do the same.
By Mark Perrin January 5, 2013 - 4:13 am
Thanks Guys! You’ve reminded me that many many others have been where I’m walking at the moment.
The “why is this happening” question is on my mind a lot and I try to balance it with “thy will be done not mine.” It is hard to let go of my preference for the outcome. I’ll just keep praying.
By Mark Perrin February 9, 2013 - 5:43 pm
The coach is taking on a new role. It looks like he’ll be showing those of us close by how to die. He has come to the realization that his remaining time in this life will be better if he declines further treatment. IMHO that was a very brave decision. Perhaps that was lesson 1.