It Isn't About Winning, It's about Worship

It's not something we do casually, it's not something we do for show, and it's certainly not something we do for our glory.

At Northshore Christian Academy, prayer is always two things: it's a key moment in our day, and it's an invitation to anyone on and off the field. Before the whistle even blows, we gather together and pray. We don't pray because we want to win, we pray because we want to worship--anywhere we are. Each time NCA gets to go out on the field, it's a gift, and we get the opportunity to be a blessing to each other on the field and to show grace to every opponent we play. 
 
On Wednesday, October 1st, our very own Brianna Mitchelson, Varsity Boys Soccer Coach, offered our opposing team, Sultan, the opportunity to join us in prayer after the game. The response was beautiful. Multiple Sultan players came to join us in a prayer to show gratefulness and thanks to God for this opportunity to play. This powerful moment has led the way for other teams in our school to start or end games in prayer.
 
I caught up with Randi Tuggle, NCA Athletic Director, a couple of days after the game, and she shared this with me:

'I was recording the prayer on my camera, and as Sultan players came to pray with our team, I teared up. Seeing the impact that a simple prayer could make for other teams was powerful. NCA is here to be a light in the community, and our desire is to change lives by showing others Jesus, and that's exactly what happened on that field! I watched as multiple parents were taking pictures and videoing the moment. One of our teachers even sent pictures to our middle school staff, who all responded with lots of love for that moment.' 

Randi Tuggle NCA Athletic Director

 
We know that when we gather in unity, something powerful happens and if a soccer field can become holy ground for a few moments, then we have accomplished a goal set before us. 
Win or lose, we’ll walk off the field knowing we played with purpose, prayed with passion, and invited others into something bigger than that game.
 
So, at the next game, we hope to see you there…and maybe even at the prayer time, too!