Thoughts: So what should you NOT pray about? Little things? Selfish things? Big things? Things that you know you should do anyway? I have heard the arguments. I shouldn't pray about these silly things that bother me, they are too little for God to care about-- that includes hobbies, games, cooking, parking places, et al. But where is the rationale for that in scripture? The problem is not that we pray too much- thus somehow trivializing God. The problem is that we do not think God can care about the little things in our life that bother us. To say that "My problem is too little for God to pay any attention to- He has bigger things to handle" actually trivializes and shrinks God's love.
Similarly, I have heard people say that we shouldn't pray for the BIG things- they are too big for God to handle. Thus do not pray for the world, or world peace, or for the victims of some accident, or for the weather. But again, where in scripture do we find this? We do find examples of people praying about the people of Israel, for the emperor, for peace. Do not shrink the power of God to change anything that He has made. This was one of the lessons of Jesus' coming- who healed when people didn't think it was possible; who raised the dead; who calmed the storm. We can say "that was Jesus" or "that was the disciples" or "that was a saint." But why not us? Jesus said, "whoever believes in me will also do the works [even greater things] that I do" (Jn. 14:12).
Some say that praying for selfish things is wrong. It is wrong to be selfish, and to pray about selfish things or to focus on self aggravates the wrongness in some ways. But perhaps if we put God into the equation- even in the midst of selfishness- it allows us to be told "No" and at least turn to God. The problem is that we are mired in sin and selfishness. It is hard for us to get beyond selfishness in just about any prayer we make. I am convinced it is better to pray and let God say "No" than to leave God out. In the end, prayer teaches us that the glory does not go to ourselves but to God.
Part of praying about everything is allowing God to be a part of your life- recognizing Him.
Part of praying about everything is finding God- the Maker of all things- even in everything. God can even take evil (like the cross) and turn it into good.
So, what about football or basketball or cheerleading or volleyball or fishing or golf? Such things to some are trivial- to others they are their livelihoods. To some, missing a field goal will affect them the rest of their lives. Many learn character lessons in sports. Praying for God to help, to bless, to have mercy, are not bad, evil, or sinful things. By the way, praying "May the best team win" is as close to a non-prayer/vacant wish as you can get. It does sound even-handed and is probably the best someone who is trying to talk to both sides (like a journalist/sportscaster) can do.
But there of course is a balance. The temptation is to always think God is on MY side (or my team's side) no matter what I do or what the other team is up to. People on both sides may be praying for their side (we saw this in wars). Truth is, we do NOT DESERVE for God to answer ANY prayer or to love us. It is by His grace and because of His love that any prayers are answered. If we wait til our motives are absolutely pure- or 90% pure or 80% pure we may be waiting til we get to heaven. But we are taught, and I believe it is not wrong, to pray about everything- letting God into your thoughts- calming your worries- ultimately submitting to God's right to say "Yes" or "No" or "Wait."
The other part of this is, that when God does say "Yes"- we can give Him the glory and not try to take the glory for ourselves. So prayer can cause the opposite of selfishness. It can humble us before God and point to Him- causing people to look up. So I am also not opposed to a player pointing up- or asking God to protect them in a game. I am not opposed to a player talking about how they felt God was with them (that does not mean He was not with the other team too). To say God cares about us in church on Sunday but not on the athletic field on a Saturday or Thursday night is to close God off from a section of our lives- and taking the glory away from Him.
So pray...about all things. Do not get mad at those who do, please. Do not get mad at those who point up (even when they are on the other team). God made our bodies, gives us talent, and helps things to fall in the right place- not just because of hard work and effort. God uses our talent, hard work, effort, perseverance, pain, sacrifice, love for others on the team, losses and wins to mold us into better people if we will let Him. Pray and do not feel guilty- even if people call you a sinner, a hypocrite (unfortunately- NONE are perfect- yet...not even those calling you a hypocrite). Let God into your concerns, your life. You may find this keeps you from turning a game into an idol or a god (games and athletic ability are not eternal). Praying is one of the most free things we can do. No one should tell you not to pray- that should be between you and God. Often the people who want to take away ALL prayer really want to take away God- and thus our freedom of religion. Pray, knowing that God can say "Yes", "No" or "Wait" about football or all things.
Prayer: Lord, help me to grow in my prayer life. Help me to grow in my belief that you are God and there is no other. Let me trust in you in all things.
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