Why Prayer?…Y Prayer…

Each day I try to start off with a good workout at our local YMCA. When I first began this discipline, I found it difficult…not just to get out of bed early enough to get motivated, but to justify going and spending the time there, instead of at the church where so many things awaited getting done. Then, the more I went, the more I realized this, too, is opportunity for ministry.

     My habit these days is to spend at least 30 minutes on the treadmill, regardless of whether or not I have time to add in a few circuits on the weight machines, time in the pool or taking on a class. If I arrive early enough, I take on more exercise…if I’m struggling to drag myself out of the bed or out of the house…or if there is a higher mountain of work awaiting me when I get to the church…no matter what…I am spending at least 30 minutes on that treadmill. I choose a machine that sits in the back corner of the room so I can have my run and watch the world around me, either folks coming and going at the Y or Main Street outside the window. These have become Prayer Runs…

     Ms. Bobbye Spivey is on an elliptical machine. She is approaching her octogenarian years…my prayer is for her to continue to enjoy good health, to her husband Hobart, who now lives at Bourbon Heights and other families like theirs facing all the challenges that aging brings.

     Chad Smart comes in to start his rigorous exercise regime. I pray for him, and Stephanie, and their sweet child, Kent, who has so many health issues, but is finally celebrating being seizure free. I think of Tom and Marie and pray for them and thank God for the gift this family continues to be for our congregation. I think of Maxey Swinford’s generosity to our church and the many ministries that will come of her gift. And I pray for the lives we will touch and the individuals who will carry out those ministries.

     I see Susie Miller drive down Main Street in Mrs. Ruth’s car and I think of Mrs. Ruth’s eye surgery and pray for her recovery process. I think of Susie’s medical needs and pray for her care and for her to have pain-free days. I think of Mrs. Patty and her health, so I pray for her…her pain and her progression through illness. I pray for God’s hand to comfort her and slow the progression. I think of Emily and Wade and sweet, little Olivia and I pray that they find the perfect house for their family and I pray they can turn this house into a home.

     I see Chad Fuller drive by in his police car and continue to pray for the Fuller family, but also for the officers who care for and protect our community. I pray for Chad’s health and well-being, as well as his abilities to continue to serve and protect his family and our community. And I lift prayers of thanksgiving to God for him and for people like him who give so very much of themselves.

     Eric Toohey is on another treadmill in the room and so I pray for him and his sweet family. I thank God for Eric’s willingness to serve in the military and I thank God that he is once again home with a family that loves him so. I pray for Tyree, Seth and Elizabeth. And I pray for so many more young families in our church, in our community and in our world. This reminds me of our prayer vigil for children and our focus on children who are affected by natural disasters…so I, once again, lift them in prayer.

     This leads me to remember a news clip I witnessed this morning of a landslide in Colorado, so I pray for those individuals and communities still struggling with the clean-up after floods and coping with an environment compromised by so much rain that risks are still prevalent. I pray for the families who lost so much…homes and loved ones.

     The wind stirs the flag on the lamppost by First Baptist Church and I am reminded of our country’s struggle to create a health care system that is good for all and a shut-down that affects people’s lives and livelihoods. So, I pray for God to guide our efforts to work together…for our country’s leaders to cooperate and consider the good of many instead of petty political differences. And I pray for those folks who will go without pay for however many days our government remains shut down. I pray that God will help them find ways to cope through this struggle.

     I am mindful of Eric Horine’s father who suffered a stroke the evening before and my friend, Amy Evert, who at that very moment was in surgery in Louisville, so I lift each of them in prayer, again and again, each time they cross my mind…and I pray for their families, who care and love and worry through these processes.

     I am mindful that my body is strong and able to run on this machine while others who come and go from this facility are struggling with bodies no longer strong and able. Yet these folk continue to persist in working for better health and agility. I pray for them as I thank God for my blessings.

     I am also aware of the fact that I have the means to be a member of this great facility…and others do not. I am grateful for what I have and I am grateful for this organization that works so hard to make sure people who want to come, can. I pray for the ministries of the YMCA and the people whose lives they impact.

     So, my time at the Y has become not only a time to exercise self-care, but also an opportunity to become more aware of the world around me and its needs, as well as opportunities to commune with God in thoughtful prayer.

Blessings,
Tracy