19 Mar Prayer Doesn’t Have Sand Traps

Prayer doesn’t have sand traps.

The Players Championship finished this weekend in Jacksonville – a great win for Rory McIlroy and a sensational finish for local favorite, Jim Furyk. 

Golf has always been a part of my life, but the most memorable golf experience was the first date I had with my husband, Curry. (Oh the things you do for love!) I remember him saying, “Annie, you are trying too hard. The club was designed to do its job. You can’t force it with more power, just swing and let the ball react to club face.”

My willingness to force the driver to hit further or push the putter or swing with all my might to get the ball out of the trap wasn’t working. I was getting more and more frustrated and honestly, wanted to give up and go home. It’s a frustrating and very mental sport. 

Life can be, too. 

Give up and go home. Grab a snickers bar while you’re at it – it always makes me feel better. 

Even frustrated, I couldn’t forget Curry’s words.

“Annie, the club is designed to do its job. The driver is the biggest, most powerful, and made to hit long distances. The wedges can get you out of trouble with short high shots. The putters are built for accuracy on the greens. The irons are designed for precise distances and often the hardest to hit. Each are uniquely crafted with specific lofts to get you where you need to go.”

A felt a sermon brewing! (Maybe even a Bible study for golfers. After all … “They” say the golf course is their sanctuary!)

I believe that prayer is similar to a golf club. Prayer is designed with a certain loft to get you where you need to go. You just need to know which club to reach for. 

Need a long “Big Bertha power prayer? Try the driver of Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Need a short and high loft to get you out of trouble and give you direction? Try the hopeful wedge of Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Need a precise and accurate prayer to start your day? Try the rejoicing putter of Psalm 118:25.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Need an overall covering and reminder that God is your strength? Try this iron on for size – Philippians 4:13.

“I can do things through him who gives me strength.”

Not sure which club to choose? Ask the Lord for wisdom with James 1:5.

“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.”

Prayers, like golf clubs, were designed to do their job. We can’t pray them harder into existence just like we can’t hit a club harder to make it go further than it was designed to go. 

God’s Word has the precise loft and the perfect power. When we pray God’s Word, our prayers fall exactly where they are designed to fall. Isaiah 55:11 says “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. IT NEVER FALLS VOID.

My interpretation? 

Prayer doesn’t have sand traps.

Choose your club wisely and trust in the design. Loosen your grip and pray.

Allow God’s Word to do its job. 
It will be a hole in one. 

Every time.