A Prayer About Going The Distance

When I think about life in the long term

GRACIOUS AND LOVING SAVIOR,

In a NASCAR race, often a car will be in the lead and doing well when suddenly a little bump or debris on the track or a driver mistake causes the car to spin out of control and wreck. Unfortunately that’s an apt metaphor for life because weekly, it seems, I hear about a public personality following that pattern—out front, traveling fast, doing great . . . but then a crash and burn. I have seen this played out with friends as well. They seem to be doing just fine spiritually, and then they hit a wall. I don’t want that to be my story, Lord. I want to run the race, the whole race, and live well for you—as Eugene Peterson says, “a long obedience in the same direction.” It’s not just a matter of moral failure; sometimes the way is so rough that I feel like quitting. At those times, please give me stamina and determination to continue living your way by your power. No matter what happens, I want to go the distance.

You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5:7