When I coached basketball, I taught players to pivot with both feet. It was amazing how much trouble younger players had when changing their pivot foot. They often didn’t catch on until they completed a few drills and understood why they needed to pivot toward and away from defensive players. 

1 Timothy 2 – Outward Focus

Good footwork is essential in all sports. Paul teaches something similar in chapter 2. He coaches Timothy to pivot toward others in prayer, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

There’s nothing wrong with praying for our personal needs, but Paul also wanted Timothy to pivot toward praying for others, using terms like “intercessions,” “thanksgivings,” and “for all people.” Our prayers must include the globe as well as our own communities.

Unless we pivot toward a life of prayer, we will likely see slow progress in the gospel. God works powerfully through prayer; establishing a strong prayer life is essential to living a Christian life. The martyred missionary Jim Elliot wrote, “The saint who advances on his knees never retreats.”

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete cultivate a habit of spending time with God in prayer and of leading others to do the same. They are confident that prayer is worth the investment of their time.

Bible Memory Verse – “[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:4  2 Timothy 2:4 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Making a Good Pivot

Our featured book this week is Spiritual Runner (A Runner After God’s Own Heart) by Jolee Paden.                                                                                                                              

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