It’s good to be prayed for

Sorry to end that sentence with a preposition, by the way.

I am one super-tired, but satisfied, cycling mama this evening.

Today I rode in the Tri-County Hillhopper, an official training ride for the BP MS 150 ride from Houston to Austin in April. Both my husband and I passed on the opportunity to ride the 67 mile route and instead pedaled our way through 36 very hilly miles. It was quite a wake-up call for the ride to Austin in April!

Today I was guided by three people who helped make my ride a much better experience. Could the advice and guidance from these gentlemen be a result of your prayer? I think so.

First, my husband suggested I take my long-sleeved jersey “just in case.”

When we got to Round Top it was 34 degrees! That is C-O-L-D cycling weather in my book. Because of my dh’s suggestion, I also brought a jacket and full-fingered gloves. I was in shorts and my legs were freezing at first, but I would have been MUCH more miserable had it not been for my dh’s gentle help.

At about 15 miles I started to warm up a bit and at 20 I thought maybe I was over the whole cycling thing and ready to go home. Soon, though, that good cycling mode kicked in as I was sailing down hills and slowly crawling up them. I munched on my exercise jelly beans, goldfish and pretzel mix and started to feel pretty good.

Then my chain popped off my gear thingy. Aaaack!

I pulled to the side and a rider pulled next to me, fixed it in seconds and I was off again. (Helper #2)

Then, at the rest stop, I as telling my dh about the experience and how I was having trouble getting into the different gear rings. The man next to us suggested I stop at the repair tent. But it was a LONG line. I walked over, though, not wanting any regrets a few miles down the rode. The kind stranger saw the long line, pulled a tool out of his saddlebag and fixed my bike right there! So nice to be helped again!

After the ride my husband playfully said that strangers don’t often stop and help him on the road and he wondered why…

I told him it was because he doesn’t often ask anyone to pray for him.

He wasn’t convinved, but I am.

So thanks to all of you who took a few moments to pray for me and my ride. I tremendously appreciate it. I cannot do these rides without my Father gently pushing me along. And you praying on my behalf, I know, makes such a difference.

This got me thinking during the ride today. I asked you to pray for me and I am convinced some of you did.

I thanked you in a generic way and prayed for riders I saw struggling today. But I’d like to pray for you more specifically too.

I have another organized ride coming up Saturday.  And I’d like to use some of that cycling time praying for you. If you would like for me to, please leave a comment with your request this week. I’ll print and carry the comments Saturday.

I do ask that you pray for me and at least one other who left a comment as well.  Please let us pray for you or your immediate family only.

After the ride I’ll report back and hopefully you’ll have something to report back, too, as we experience the power of prayer together.

Thanks, again for your prayers, and for the honor of praying for you, too.