A PRAYER FOR RUNNERS

CHRIST IN WINTER: Reflections on Faith for the Years of Winter

Bless, O God, we pray, those who run this day.

Bless those who run for fun, bless those who run because they must.

Bless those who run in races, bless those who run the bases.

Bless those who run for office.

Bless those who run from home   Bless those who run back to home.

Bless those who run long distances in loneliness.

Bless those who run off… at the mouth.

Bless those who run around. Especially Sue. [1]

Bless those who run silent and run deep. [2]

Bless those who run wild. Bless those who run in circles. Bless those who run “like a chicken with its head cut off.” [3]

Bless those who run so fast, who make such good time as they run, but who have no idea of where their running will take them.

Bless those who run from war.  Bless those who run from danger. Bless those who run toward danger. Bless those who run from bullies. Bless those who run to help  

Bless those who run from temptation and addiction. Bless those who run from happiness. 

Bless those who cannot run with legs, but run in hope and memory

Especially bless those of us who run from you. Post, we pray, someone along the way, with a sign, a sign written so large and well that those who run may read it [4], a sign that says, TURN AROUND AND RETURN TO WHERE YOU BELONG. Give us eyes to see the sign, and feet to make the turn. And someone to cheer for us as we go.

Bless, O God, we pray, those who run this day.

JRMcF

johnrobertmcfarland@gmail.com

Occasionally I am asked to do the pastoral prayer at St. Mark’s UMC, where we live now, in Bloomington, IN. I wrote this originally for that purpose, but it’s the kind of prayer, I’m afraid, that makes folks wander instead of wonder, so it’s more appropriate here.

1] Dion and the Belmonts

2] Edward L. Beach, Jr.

3] Grandma “Maggie May” Pond

4] Habakkuk 2:2.