Prayer-on-the Go!

Today’s blog is for anyone who believes they don’t have enough time to pray. Last year, I joined a women’s running club called BGR or Black Girls Run! The organization was originally founded in 2009 by two African-American friends whose aim was to inspire all Women of Color to live healthier lifestyles.  The group has now grown to over 150,000 members, which make up hundreds of chapters throughout the U.S.   Our local chapter meets every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 am to 5:30 am to run three miles. Although it’s dark, we run on a busy street.  So, there are always cars driving by, even at 4:30 am in the morning.   I am always aware of my surroundings.   Unlike my running mates, I never run with music headsets. They tend to drown out background noise and for me, that’s a big no, no! Whether it’s leaves rustling on the sidewalk or something stepping on a twig behind me, I pay close attention to every sound that surrounds me.

Now, don’t look for any marathon pictures of me on Facebook just yet, my friend! I can assure you that will not be happening anytime soon. Yours Truly is still taking baby steps on this journey to running. Often times, my team mates will get so far ahead of me that I don’t see them again until we’re finished. Besides that, I’m more of a trotter rather than a sprinter.  As a result, I’ve learned to take my ‘slow and steady’ pace in stride. I don’t worry about how fast everyone else is going or how much more time they finish before me.  If I became consumed with that, I would have easily quit this race on the first day!

So, how do I manage my time when I’m alone on the running path? It’s like Jaz, one of our veteran runners once told me in her lovely Delaware accent, “It’s your race, Tash! You run it the way you want!” I not only took her advice but I apply it to every run I do. My style of jogging is what I call a, “Prayer Run.” What exactly is that, you may wonder?  It is time that I spend praying to and praising the Lord while running or, better yet, moving to the pace of a trot. Words cannot adequately describe what these moments of mobile meditation outdoors with Him do for me.  While my body and listening ears are in motion, my mind is focused towards heaven.  I look up at the moonlit sky and imagine the Eternal Father looking down on me.  Through His vigilant presence, I know He is watching, healing, delivering, protecting, nurturing, cleansing and saving me with His love. I ask for forgiveness of my sins; as well as, offer up praise for my current and future blessings. Additionally, I pray for the needs of my family, beloved friends, Blog readership (that includes you 🙂), Sisterhood of Prayer, church members, co-workers, and even those who are unkind to me.