One of the sayings we hear football coaches say is, “We need to establish the run.” This means that early in the game they need to get their running back consistent carries.

Winning teams usually stay committed to the run – keeping the defense guessing while remaining balanced. But oftentimes, a team struggles in the run game, gets impatient, and starts throwing on most downs. They no longer utilize their running back by handing it off to him, and put all the pressure on the quarterback to make plays.

While watching the game, we hear the commentator say, “It looks like they’ve abandoned the run.” This is because the holes aren’t opening up or they aren’t gaining as many yards as they hoped, or time is running out.

This was especially true last Sunday when the Eagles lost to the Giants 17-27. Running back, Miles Sanders, returned to the field after being out with an injury and played great, finishing with 85 yards on 15 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Running back, Boston Scott, also added a 58-yard touchdown.

However, the game got tough with the Giants pulling away, so the Eagles chose to put the pressure on quarterback, Carson Wentz, to pass the ball instead. Even though the Eagles haven’t been very effective when Wentz tries to do everything on his own, they still abandoned the run.

This caused phillyvoice.com to ask the question, “Eagles are good at running the ball, so why do they avoid it so much?” Instead of leaning on their productive run game, Wentz threw the ball 37 times, only completing 21 passes for 208 yards.

Eagles writer Kevin Dickson, on Fansided.com, writes in his article, “You would think with how well Sanders has played; the gameplan would be to get the ball into number 26’s hands. It seems week after week, we are left scratching our heads wondering why the heck the Eagles’ abandoned the run.”

The truth is, a solid running attack opens up the whole offense, and establishing the run prepares and sets up the passing game. The entire offense suffers when a team gives up on the run instead of remaining persistent.

I think in many ways this provides a picture of our prayer life – specifically during a difficult “game.” We start off praying passionately, knowing we need God to come through for us, provide, and deliver. Early on, we establish a solid prayer life as we consistently seek God for answers.

But, as months or even years pass by, we sometimes hit a wall. We get impatient…holes don’t open up…we don’t get the yardage we hoped for…and time appears to be running out.

Instead of utilizing the power of prayer, we abandon our communication with God and our impatience shifts our attention elsewhere. We then put all the pressure on ourselves to “make plays,” and no longer trust God by running to Him in prayer.

As hard as it is when our circumstances don’t change right away and we feel like our prayers aren’t working, we must remain “committed to the run.”

We can’t give up, but continue to turn to God and hand off our worries, fear, and concerns. Ultimately, we can trust that He hears our prayers and will answer them according to His will.

The Bible implores us to “Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2 – AMP).

Ephesians 6:18 (AMP) drives this home, as well: “With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.”

Today, let’s not try to do everything on our own and abandon our “prayer game,” but instead, let’s persistently turn back to God…trusting that we’re better off handing everything off to Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m sorry that sometimes I abandon my prayers and stop trusting You. I confess to being impatient and taking matters into my own hands. Help me to keep relying on You for guidance and strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What leads to you struggling in your prayer life?

  2. What is an example of a time when you saw God move as you persistently prayed and trusted Him?