Today my squad had a day of prayer. Basically, we signed up for one hour each to take time and pray for the members of our squad, our time on the Race, specific prayer requests, etc.
I just finished my hour, 10 – 11 pm. I've got to admit – prayer is definitely an area of my faith I wish I was stronger in. I often find my mind wandering, going over the events of the day and thinking/worrying about tomorrow's stresses. And sometimes, when I do actually focus on praying, I yammer on and on and don't let God get a word in edgewise. Which is a bummer, because I know He's got a lot to say to me. I'm really hoping that my time on the Race will help me strengthen my prayer life.
All that to say, one hour of straight prayer was a struggle. So, as I often do when I am trying to focus on communicating with God, I turned on some of my favorite Christian music and used the lyrics as a way to express what I wanted to say. After all, it's pretty tough to find all the right words that could encompass praying for something as huge as the World Race and 60+ people I really haven't met yet with their own individual lives, hardships and Race-related fears.
Naturally, I started with Rich Mullins – who, as my friends will tell you, is someone I endlessly quote and admire. He always has the right words when I am struggling to express myself to God. After making my way through some of my favorite songs, I came across "Let Mercy Lead" – one I haven't listened to in a while.
I think the story is that Rich wrote it with his friend for his friend's newborn. But it really struck me as my hope and prayer for our squad as we, simple sinners made whole in Christ, go out into the world to show mercy to other broken people who (when you really think about it) are not that different from ourselves.
So, dear September 2011 squad:
The day will come when we'll run the Race that takes us way beyond
All our trials and all our failures and all the good we dream of
We can't see yet where it is we're heading but one day we'll see the face of love
Let mercy lead
Let love be the strength in your legs
And in every footprint that you leave there will be a drop of grace
If we can reach beyond the wisdom of this age into the foolishness of God
That foolishness will save those who believe
Although their foolish hearts may break they will find peace
And I'll meet you in that place where mercy leads.
