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Pray Like A Wide Receiver

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord” (Psalm 40:4 NIV).
I love to watch football. Every great quarterback needs a “receiver.” A quarterback controls many aspects of the game, but his effectiveness is only as good as his receivers’ ability to catch his passes. A great quarterback can hit the receiver in the chest with a pass, but there is no catch if the receiver does not receive the pass. A gift is not a gift if the recipient does not receive the gift.
God is looking for receivers. God is throwing blessings at us, but sadly some are not received. I know I have denied His blessings when I have refused the blessing of a friend or neighbor to mow my yard when I am sick or talk to me when I am feeling down. Many think that we are showing humility by denying a blessing when in reality we are just dropping the ball. A blessing denied is to deny a blessing to both the giver and the receiver.
Below are a few thoughts on how we can improve our receiving skills. I see three ideas that we need to simply just get over.
First, let’s get over the idea that God doesn’t want us to have what we need. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 that if we (being evil) know how to give good things to our children, how much more will the heavenly Father give good things to his children? Amen! None of us would ever want any of our children to go without their needs being met. Yes, we live in a fallen world and have problems, but let’s thank the Lord for receiving what we need.
Second, let’s get over the idea that God loves others more than us. God loves us all equally. He is “throwing” balls of blessings at us, but we need to receive. God is the giver of every perfect gift but if we do not receive the blessing it is denied. Sadly, many do not know the God of love and mercy who wants to help and bless His children. They “serve” a God of anger, death, and wrath. This is not God but rather the enemy, the “god of this world.”
The only way to get saved is to “receive.” Likewise, the only way to get free, healed, delivered, or blessed is to “receive.” It is God’s will for everyone to receive salvation. The greatest tragedy to me is that some don’t know this or refuse to receive it.
Third, let’s get over the idea that the ball is not coming to us, and let’s keep our eye on the ball. A receiver must see the ball in order to receive it. We need to wait for the answer to our prayers. It will come at the perfect time and in the perfect manner, much better than what we were hoping for. The Psalms are rich in Scripture teaching us to wait on the Lord. In addition, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
We show our faith when we thank God in advance for the blessing that we know is coming even though we do not know when or how. We “stay in our route” by focusing on being ready to catch the ball when it will surely arrive.
Our God is a good and gracious God. He is throwing perfect spirals at us, but we must be prepared and willing to receive. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for supplying our needs. Help us to receive Your blessings and favor. We trust, love, and need You. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Certified Lay Minister and Men’s Ministry Specialist through Francis Asbury Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He is a Board Member for Gulf South Men, an Action Team member for The Kingdom Group, and a Board Member for the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus. Todd is a contributor to Project XII and Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. He is a Past President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and remains active in this and many other local, regional, and international ministries. Additionally, he’s the author of the inspiring book “Fathering A Special Needs Child.” Todd also enjoys filling the pulpit to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior. Todd is the proud father of Emma and Kyle and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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