Touchdown Pass

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ~1 John 5:14-15 NIV

This past Saturday night, my son’s youth football team played a game that heated everyone up on a cold night in South Texas. On this chilly night, the game excited the fans (aka parents) on both teams. It was one of those evenly matched, highly competitive games.

I shared last week for the football game that I prayed two specific things—first for the boys safety and second to see my son, Chase, make a touchdown. I saw the answer to the first and thanked God that if keeping him safe meant he did not play offense, then I am thankful.

This time, I prayed only the first prayer for the game—to keep all the boys safe. It just breaks my heart to see boys injured on the field, even more so if it is my boy lying on the ground (which I’ve sat through and thankful it was nothing serious).

The Lord answered my prayer (and I’m certain the prayers of all the parents) as there were no injuries during the game. Only one official time out for an injury for one of our team members, but he recovered quickly.

As I watched the game nearing the end of the first quarter, I saw my son who played on defense go in on offense. He lined up in formation with the team on about the 20 yard line. Chase went to the end ready to run out as wide receiver. The ball snapped. Players scrambled. Chase ran into the end zone wide open. The quarterback threw the ball in Chase’s direction. Chase caught the ball. The umpire’s arms lifted straight up. Touch down! I saw my boy make a touchdown.

The game went back and forth with the last one minute and eleven seconds being the most exciting. Behind our team made a touchdown putting us ahead by eight points. The opposing team made a touch down during their possession. Going for the two point conversion, they tied the game. On the kick off, our team got the ball and made a touch down and earned the extra point. With 30 seconds, our defense held them in our territory and won the game 41 to 33.

On the half-hour ride home, my son discussed how stressful the game was for him. We talked about his touchdown. His first one in his first year to play tackle football. I mentioned to him how I did not pray for it this week, but the Lord enabled him. He looked at me from across the vehicle and said, “Mom, our prayers don’t expire. God just knows the best time to answer them.”

He reminded me the Lord hears our prayers. The Lord answers all our prayers. Just as the timing for the quarterback and Chase lined up for Chase to catch the pass for a touchdown, we must wait to be in line with God’s timing to catch the answer to our prayers. Touchdown pass!

So know this my dear friends, the Lord hears our prayers and whatever we ask according to His will we shall have--in His timing.

Lord, I give You praise this morning for Your loving kindness endures forever. Thank You Lord that You hear and answer our prayers. Lord, I pray that we make the play as You call it so we will be lined up to catch the answer You have for us. Lord, I ask Your will be done. Thank You Lord for this day we have. I ask You to guide our steps and establish the work of our hands. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Engrafted by His Grace--