| > | | | | I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: |
| It was thirty minutes before the big game; St. | | | | 35: But in every nation he that feareth him, and |
| James’ Boys School and Holy Cross School | | | | worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. |
| were both in their locker rooms waiting to come out | | | | 36: The word which [God] sent unto the children of |
| for the shoot around warm up. Both coaches | | | | Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of |
| assembled their teams and began to pray, O | | | | all:) |
| Almighty God today is the big game and we pray in | | | | 45: And they of the circumcision which believed were |
| your name to give our boys a win. | | | | astonished, as many as came with Peter, because |
| Pretty comical when you really look at it, both coaches | | | | that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of |
| praying to the same God for the same outcome but | | | | the Holy Ghost. |
| only one will get the answer prayed for. When the | | | | So was it the big game that Peter was declaring that |
| game is over, is it the team’s skill and | | | | the Holy Ghost was interested in; or was it that the |
| player’s talent that will win the game or the | | | | Gentiles also received the gift? |
| prayer of the most righteous coach that wins the | | | | What about the when the Word declares, Then |
| game. | | | | cast your cares upon Him because |
| There are examples of athletes appealing to God in | | | | He Cares for you! No request to small for He who |
| every sport. When a player on a basketball team | | | | sees the sparrow fall is God not promising that no |
| shoots up the ball at the last second without even | | | | matter what size or weight the issue is He will hear |
| looking they say, He threw up a prayer, and | | | | your prayer? |
| when a football quarterback throws the ball all the | | | | So we come to the conundrum, which coach will have |
| way to the end zone at the end of a game hoping | | | | his prayers answered. The easy answer is whichever |
| someone will catch it they call it a Hail Mary | | | | coach wins. The right answer is that God respects no |
| pass. | | | | man over another and that the team that wins wins |
| So does God answer the prayers of one coach and | | | | because they are more equipped to win. They are |
| his players over another coach and his players who | | | | better prepared, better skilled; execute the game plan |
| are in the same game? Of course not! | | | | better and many more factors. |
| Acts 10:33: Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and | | | | So as both coaches bow their heads in prayer before |
| thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore | | | | the big game the players can be comforted by the |
| are we all here present before God, to hear all things | | | | fact that pray is communication with the Heavenly |
| that are commanded thee of God. | | | | Father and that comfort may just be what they need |
| 34: Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth | | | | to get their game in gear and win. |