The Cincinnati Bengals are playing in the AFC Championship game for the first time in 33 years and they have been the fan favorites throughout the playoffs.

The exciting young duo of quarterback, Joe Burrow and wide receiver J’Marr Chase, have helped to carry the team this far with their dynamic connection.

However, the surprising star of the Bengals, who is stealing headlines and gaining attention, is rookie kicker Evan McPherson.

Through two playoff games, he has been 8 for 8, including his 52-yard game-winner against the Titans. He’s the only rookie in history to kick at least three walk-off field goals in the regular season and one in the postseason.

A big part of being extremely clutch is attributed to McPherson’s immense confidence. Joe Burrow shared this insight after the game, which was later confirmed by McPherson:

“So he was talking to (backup quarterback Brandon Allen) when he was going out to kick. He gave a little warmup swing and he said, ‘I guess we’re going to the AFC championship’ — before he went out to kick.”

I love this! Here’s this rookie in a huge moment with a chance to win the game and he absolutely expected to make the kick. As he entered the field, he trusted he could deliver, knew he was able to make it, and approached the opportunity with confidence instead of doubt. Now the Bengals are heading to the AFC Championship!

I previously wrote a devotional about making predictions in sports and life and how in our own lives we need to humbly acknowledge that God is in control and holds our future. (You can read it here.)

However, today I want to unpack how McPherson’s (“McFearless” as I’ve heard him called) approach can encourage us when it comes to our prayer life and faith in God.

Just like McPherson entered the field with expectancy, we can enter prayer with expectancy. He didn’t go out there expecting to miss the kick, but rather, to kick it through the uprights.

When we approach God, we do so with confidence knowing that He hears us and loves us…and with expectancy because we serve a powerful God.

We can boldly expect Him to answer our prayers according to His will and purposes. We can trust Him to deliver…believe He’s able to make a way…know He’ll provide what we need…and have peace that His way always “gets the ball through the uprights.”

When we surrender and place our hope and faith in Jesus, we become children of God. We don’t earn favor or access to Him based on our own merit, but because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.

By knowing Him and following Him, we can expect Him to move and orchestrate the details in our lives and demonstrate His goodness and faithfulness.

So when we pray, we can approach the opportunity with the expectancy 1 John 5:14 (AMP) describes: “This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.”

The verse’s footnote also gives this great encouragement: “Confident, abiding faith combined with God’s power can produce amazing results if the request is in harmony with God’s will.”

So when we face challenges, like being a rookie about to kick a 52-yarder on the road, let’s continue to pray without doubting and trust with confidence and expectancy in our all-powerful God.

Today, let’s put to practice Jesus’ inspiring words in Mark 11:22-24 (AMP): “Jesus replied, ‘Have faith in God [constantly]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will].

‘For this reason, I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.’”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I trust in You and Your will. Thank you that I can come before You with boldness, confidence, and expectancy. I know You are able and I know Your plan is best. I pray that my heart would be aligned with You and I thank you in advance for what You’re going to do in my life next! In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What is causing you to question God or challenge your faith right now as you pray?

  2. How can you pray with expectancy and confidence?