Powerful Prayer

I thought that I would post a follow-up to my blog of November 13, Penn State Woes. That was such a powerful and shining moment for the Body of Christ that I thought it deserved a little more focus.
In the days following that football game between Penn State and Nebraska I’ve been looking around the internet for some videos of the event. I listened to the game on the radio and the broadcast team described what was happening on the field, but I didn’t get to see it or hear what was being said. Not surprisingly, there are lots of videos available online now from many different sources showing that amazing huddled mass of football players kneeling for prayer in the center of the field, and of Ron Brown’s words as he spoke over them.
What I really wanted was a transcript of the prayer that was said. I found a couple of them, but they were each missing portions here and there. Toward the end of the prayer, the crowd in the stands began to chant and cheer, not being able to hear what was being said on the field, and portions were hard to make out over the noise. I did, however, find one video feed that was particularly clear and of high quality and I think I got the whole thing down pretty well.
Here’s the text of the prayer for those of you who haven’t, or aren’t, able to view the videos online:

“Father God, we thank you so much. We thank you that you’ve chosen us to be here; this day--this time. We know that you’ve called us specifically, each and every one of these young men have been called to this platform today. Lord, we know, we know that we don’t have control of all of the events that took place this week, but we do know that you are bigger than it all. And we give you the glory that you are going to protect this stadium today, and this town, and these universities, Father, and these students, that you would give great sense to all of them, Lord. Remove the foolishness and that your common sense will reign and shine. Father God, there are a lot of little boys around the country today who are watching this game and they’re trying to figure out what the definition of manhood is all about. Father, this is it right here. I pray that this game will be a training ground of what manhood looks like; that we would compete with fierce intensity; with the honor and the gifts and the talents that you have given us. And may we be reminded, Lord, as it says in your word in John 1:14 that Jesus is full of grace and truth. May the truth be known. May justice be known. Would you protect the victims that were persecuted…And Father, would you shed grace and forgiveness on the lives of all those involved. All of us here need your forgiveness. We thank you for the cross of Jesus Christ. Now give us a great game, a game that honors you. And it’s in Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.”

Wow! Those are some pretty powerful words! As I read that again and again, it strikes me how very appropriate those words were for that place and that time, but also for all of us in whatever place and time we are in. God HAS called each one of us specifically to be right here, right now. He put each one of us here for a reason, just as he put Ron Brown on that football field on November 12, 2011. It is our job to find out why. Maybe it’s to help support someone who is in financial need, maybe it’s to volunteer for projects in your community, or maybe it’s to pray for someone, or just sit and cry with them. In order for the Body of Christ to function, all of those tasks, large and small, have to be done. Take a look around you; there are people in need everywhere. What can you do to help?
Ron Brown was the wide receiver’s coach at the University of Nebraska from 1987 to 2003, and then returned to the team in 2008 as the tight end’s coach. He became the running back’s coach for the 2011 season, his 17th season overall with Nebraska. Brown’s bio page from the University of Nebraska website includes the following:

Off the field, Brown and former Husker Stan Parker are co-founders and co-directors of a statewide Christian ministry called Mission Nebraska. This ministry stewards MY BRIDGE RADIO, which consists of numerous Christian radio stations and translators across Nebraska. Mission Nebraska also facilitates a statewide Christian endeavor called FreedMen, which challenges and inspires men and boys to take a strong courageous Christian stand in the public square.
The 54-year-old Brown spent the four years prior to his return to coaching serving as the Nebraska State Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. While he relinquished that duty to return to the Cornhuskers, he continues as a regular columnist for FCA's National Magazine "Sharing the Victory." Through Mission Nebraska, Brown also hosts a weekly statewide cable TV show called "Truth Vision", along with daily radio spots.

Do we need more people like Ron Brown getting involved with our youth? You don’t have to answer; it’s a rhetorical question. For those interested, MyBridge Radio can be found at 95.7 FM in the Grand Island area. There’s a station in Kearney but their signal seems to be very weak. Visit this page for a complete listing of MyBridge Radio stations across Nebraska.

The prayer above was transcribed from NBC footage that I found at the website of News Radio 1110 KFAB.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ESV

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ESV

Links From This Post:
My blog about Penn State Woes
Listing of MyBridge Radio stations across Nebraska at Wikipedia
News Radio 1110 KFAB
Ron Brown’s full bio at Huskers.com