Praying For A Win?

There was a time I would shudder at the thought of praying for my team to win. I thought it was ridiculous. I've changed my mind.

Two years ago the Rutgers womens' basketball team beat Duke in the NCAA tournament. Duke's best free-throw shooter was at the line, needing to sink two to win the game and send the Blue Devils to the championship game. She missed them both. Because Duke lost and Rutgers won, Rutgers got national attention. Because of their national attention, they were mentioned by Don Imus. Because they were mentioned (and I'm using that term loosely) Don Imus was fired. Because Don Imus was fired, numerous people had to find new jobs. If the girl from Duke makes her free-throws, none of that ever happens.

Some people (including Christians) believe that was simple fate. I don't. I believe God has a part in every detail of life, including missed free-throws (For the sake of brevity, I'm leaving it at that. If you want to talk more about my beliefs about God's sovereignty leave a comment or we'll go to lunch).

My point for this post is there are huge ramifications surrounding sports that go far beyond wins a losses. Every made basket sets in motion other happenings that determine outcomes in other areas of life. Areas more significant than wins and losses. But the significance of those areas makes wins and losses more significant.

All that to say, I think it's okay to pray for your team to win. Or even the Penguins if they're playing personified evil (hypothetically). Praying is submitting to God's will. When I pray for a friend to be healed, I'm saying I know God can heal them if he chooses, but I know if he doesn't choose to heal them, he's got a reason I don't understand. I think it's the same for sports. I pray for my team to win, but if they don't, I rest in his will, no matter how painful it is to watch UCLA lose in the Final Four three years in a row.

I'm not sure any of this is making sense, but it's my current practice. I'd love to hear what you think.

One more important note. I haven't had a team win a championship since 1999. That was before I was a sports prayer. Off the top of my head, I can only remember one game I prayed for a win and got one. I'm just saying, I've been knocking, but I'm waiting for the door to be opened.