Prayers For The Peloton Beth A. Leasure
First Edition
Prayers for the Peloton
February Beginnings & Endings Mass Starts Flashes of Lightning Warm-Up, Warm-Down Dressing for Success Schwag Bike Love
Prayer for Group Rides/Training Races Prayer for Anaerobic Power Prayer for Pre-Ride & Recovery Procedures Prayer for Cycling Clothing Prayer for Equipment Stewardship Prayer for Bicycles
My Funny Valentine Love & Bicycling In Tandem Solo Attempt In My Ear Trading Pace Abandonée
DNF
Prayer for Relationships Prayer for Marriage & Family Prayer for Singles Prayer for Communication Prayer for Conflict Resolution Prayer for Calling It Quits
Us - United Spokes Eagles Wings Accord Paritaire Joint Agreement Power To The Peloton Links in the Chain United Front Nouveau Départ Fresh Start
Prayer for American Cycling Prayer for Athletes Rights Prayer for Cycling Unions Prayer for International Associations Prayer for National Federations Prayer for New Race Season
Foreign Tourin’ Cycling Explorers irie jammin Powerful Good Times Bike Relief Tranquilo! Relax! Sin Represas Without Power-lines Superhighway
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Prayer for Cycling Fun Prayer for Caribbean Cycling Prayer for African Cycling Prayer for Central American Cycling Prayer for South American Cycling Prayer for Asian Cycling
Prayers for the Peloton
Week: My Funny Valentine
February
Love & Bicycling 18
"To ride a bicycle properly is very much like a love affair - chiefly it is a matter of faith. Believe you do it, and the thing is done; doubt, and for the life of you, you cannot." HG Wells, Author & Bicyclist
We dedicate this week to romantic relationships, which bring us joy, purpose, and companionship but which also cause us the greatest consternation during times of conflict. Cycling adds to the dynamics of our relationships, for better or worse: it is time-consuming and can be perceived as self-indulgent, although riding/racing do give benefits to and via community. If you’re a cyclist, even a single cyclist, eventually cycling is an issue that will be addressed in a relationship, perhaps that’s why you’re single? Even a monk would have to account for all that time on the road - away, distinct; separate in cause and passion. Do tandem teams in relationship with one another have more harmony? Not necessarily, neither escapes the other through cycling since having interests apart from your loved one is necessary also. Even relationships with other cyclists have conflict as a result of cycling. Cyclists with other cyclists seem to have as much conflict as a result of cycling as cyclists in relationships with non-cyclists. So while cycling may change or be an additional component in the dynamics of relationships, it is never the true cause of conflict. There’s a lot of talk these days about compatible personality styles for couples, so called perfect matches based on common preferences; but studies show that relational health has little to do either with opposites attracting or with having a lot in common. Rather, what is at the heart of healthy, happy relationships is compassionate, committed love; what the Greeks call agape or unconditional love. How does one find such a love? Well we don’t fall into fitness, and neither do we fall into this kind of love. We pray for this week’s ride down Lover’s Lane.
Prayer for Relationships “…if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing… these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 191 Corinthians 13:2, 13
We are thankful that we’re created for profound and pleasurable intimacy. We admit that cycling passion sometimes competes with our aficionado. Teach us to love in a way that is mutual. Ponder Am I able to be committed for lasting love? Affirm I can determine what type of relationship I’ll seek based on my ability to commit. Watch for love to find you when you say what you’ll receive.
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