Strive to Be an Ultra PRAYer

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 ESV 

In an inspiring story published yesterday by Minnesota News, it was reported that Michael Koppy, 74, is aiming to become the oldest runner to ever complete the Arrowhead Ultra 135, a grueling race across northern Minnesota. Like many other ultrarunners that I know (including myself), who have grown accustomed to running through the night, Michael’s draw to the sport of ultrarunning was a healthy way to deal with the pressure, pain and stresses of life. Polio killed his mom and brother when he was just two years old. He also contracted the disease and wore braces on his legs for a year. Growing up he was in and out of foster homes. Discovering running, he said, kept him out of trouble, and helped put him on the right track… “Running is what makes life really possible for me,” he explained. “We all have a lot of stresses that we have to deal with. All those complications fall away when you're out there running. It's just very simple.”

And, you know, when it comes to dealing with the stresses of life, Jesus, Himself, gave us the example to follow. You see, although Jesus was known as a man of constant prayer, there were times in His life (like before choosing the twelve among the disciples who would become His apostles) when He needed extra prayer. That’s when He would go to a secluded place and devote hours upon hours (all night He continued) in prayer to God (modeling what it means to be an ultra PRAYer) to seek the guidance, wisdom, peace, encouragement, and enlightenment that only God could give Him. The importance of prayer is emphasized even more when we consider that Jesus, who was God in human flesh, didn’t simply use His infinite knowledge to pick the apostles but prayed all night to the Father instead, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit just as we must.

So strive to be known as an ultra PRAYer my friend. Seek to rise above the stresses and circumstances of life by praying for the same guidance, wisdom, peace, encouragement, and enlightenment that God rewards all those who seek Him with their whole hearts. It certainly won’t be easy, but it will be worth it - because, as Spurgeon once said “One night alone in prayer might make us new men, changed from poverty of soul to spiritual wealth, from trembling to triumphing.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there is infinite power in prayer. Whether it’s dealing with the stresses of life, needing clarity and guidance for important matters, or needing to feel your peace and presence when our hearts are hurting or broken, help us to be ultra PRAYers who don’t stop until we receive the answers and comfort we are praying for. Help us to honor You with our prayer life Lord. And to seek You with our whole hearts. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!