Good Things…A Golfer’s Prayer

I pray for my family. I pray for my patients. Rarely do I pray for my golf game. I did once though. It was my first high school golf tournament. After 4 holes I was struggling. I wasn’t a great golfer but that day I was doing exceptionally poor. I managed to make it on the 5th green, but left myself a 60’ putt for par. With a 3 or 4 putt clearly in view I wanted to give up. My parents taught me to believe in God, and they taught me to pray for “good things”. As a teenager questions still loomed. Would Heavenly Father answer a golfer’s prayer?

Good Things and Best Things

I stood above my putt, a downhiller that broke in two directions; a seemingly impossible putt. I remember my prayer… “Heavenly Father, please help me to make this putt. If I make it I will always believe.” I looked at the hole and looked down again at my ball. “Help thou my unbelief” probably came to mind.

Jesus taught many pearls that have helped me and other weary golfers along the way…

7. Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

8. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

9. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give GOOD THINGS to them that ask him? (Emphasis added)

Matthew 7:7-11

Good Things. I have often wondered about this line of scripture. Does this apply to a golfer’s prayer? Sometimes the “good things” that we want aren’t the “good things” that God wants for us. There are lots of good things I’ve prayed for in life that I haven’t gotten.

I once asked a spiritual leader why not all prayers are answered. His answer has stuck with me for years. “Sometimes the “best things” in life come as complete surprises.”

Best Things and Unanswered Prayers

Garth Brooks got it right. Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. Sometimes our idea of the “good things” drowns out the “best things” that Heavenly Father wants for us.

When I was in college my ultimate goal was to get into med school. I prayed for it every day. I once stopped dating a girl so I could study for the MCAT. Seemed like the right thing to do.

After my interviews for med school I was put on four waiting lists. I was optimistic things would work out. In addition I was interested in a girl at the time and I thought she was interested in me. Come July of that year I was girless, med schooless, and hopeless. The good things I was praying for didn’t seem to come.

Three months later I met Kelsey. Nine months after that we were married and heading off to med school. Looking back I can’t think of a single better thing to happen to me in life than not getting the “good things” I was praying for that year.

I am a firm believer that God doesn’t just give “Good Things”. He gives the “Best Things”.

Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.

Jeffrey R. Holland “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” October 1999

Or If He Ask A Fish

Eight years ago I went deep sea fishing for the first time. Growing up I remember a big sail fish hanging at my aunt an uncles house over their hot tub. I always imagined catching one when I was a kid. For weeks leading up to our vacation to Cancun I prayed that I would catch a sail fish.

When we got on the boat the guide asked what we wanted to fish for. “A sail fish” I told him. “Impossible” he said. It wasn’t the right season. Disheartened but committed I told him that I was paying him to help me catch a sail fish.

After a 90 minute ride away from the coast we were left with two hours to fish on our 5 hour excursion. Within two minutes my fishing pole was bending and my line was running…a fish on the line. I reeled with strength I didn’t realize I had. Soon the fish was jumping in the air. A SAIL FISH!

I was stunned. The guide was stunned. Everyone in the boat was stunned. We tried our luck one more time. Within minutes a new fish was on the line. Another sail fish. The only two caught in months according to our guide.

When we got to shore Kelsey shared in my excitement. She didn’t know I had been praying to catch a sail fish. “You know why you caught it?” she asked. She answered her own question: “Because this morning I prayed that you would catch a sail fish”.

Or If He Ask A Fish…

Good Things…A Golfer’s Prayer

I hit the ball and watched it as it raced down the hill, a golfer’s prayer still fresh in my mind. Left. Right. It felt like the Plinko board on The Price is Right. Nearing the hole…just the right speed. It hit the hole…bottom of the cup.

Believing, but in disbelief, I smiled. No fist pumps. Just a silent wink to above. To this day it is the longest putt I’ve made.

I have never prayed for a golf miracle since that day. No need. My belief was solidified. I often pray for good things. Heavenly Father seems to give me the best things. He does answer prayers. Even a golfer’s prayer.

About the Author

I am a husband, father, ER doctor, and an avid golfer.  With a handicap of 1.5 I have a fairly legitimate claim to be among the Top 100 Physician Golfers in the United States.  You can read more about my story on my about page. Feel free to contact me or follow my sites on social media.