The Throw and Catch Model of Prayer

An excerpt from the upcoming book : "The Divine Dialogue : An Easy-to-Use Field Guide for Spiritual Warfare"

"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness."

Martin Luther.

Over 15 years ago, I learned a profound lesson on spiritual warfare that would forever alter my life—a lesson that may well be the most pivotal insight we gain together in this book.

I was playing a game at work.

I was part of a management training course consisting of thirty participants. Our instructor divided us into three groups and assigned us a team-building exercise.

The game involved two buckets—one filled with around 50 tennis balls and the other empty, marked "DONE." The goal was to transfer all the balls to the "DONE" bucket as quickly as possible, with one stipulation: each team member had to throw and catch each ball before it could be considered "DONE."

We arranged ourselves in a circle and began the first round.

I was both the initiator, picking balls from the full bucket, and the final person to catch them before declaring them "DONE."

In two minutes, we only managed to transfer half of the balls. Errors were made; balls were dropped. When time was up, we discovered we had performed the worst of the teams.

Embarrassed and frustrated, we were given a minute to strategize an improved approach. The role I had taken on was demanding, requiring rapid ball feeding and keen attention to catch the final toss. Despite my suggestion to switch roles, no one volunteered.

We decided to tweak our method slightly—the person before me would now call out my name before throwing the ball, ensuring I was ready to catch it. Eye contact was needed.

This minor adjustment dramatically improved; we moved from 50% to 100% completion.

The change was so profound that I stepped outside the training room to contemplate. My catching skills hadn't improved, nor had the throwing skills of my friend. Yet our efficiency had doubled.

The epiphany was clear: the key was communication.

Thus, the "throw and catch" dialogue model cemented in my mind.

This metaphor, which I deeply wish for you to remember from this book—and ideally, throughout your life when considering prayer—is like playing catch with a loved one. Visualize a simple game of toss with a parent, uncle, sibling, or any familiar figure from your childhood. It might be tossing a baseball in a Texan backyard or playing with a ball on a Ukrainian field. Picture this scene firmly.

Now, replace your family member with Father God. Each ball represents a prayer topic. You throw it to Him and wait for Him to throw it back. While waiting, you're not passive; you're actively listening, engaging in a divine dialogue.

This isn't a one-sided wish list; it's an interactive conversation that helps you view your prayers from God's perspective, reshaping your mind and heart.

For example, as I sit down to pray, I might begin with the Lord's Prayer. As I recite..

(Throw) : "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name,"

(Catch) : I pause to listen for a divine response. Perhaps the name "Jehovah Jireh" enters my thoughts. I didn’t have this thought before, so I can reasonably think Father God has spoken to me.

(Throw) : I acknowledge God as my provider and express gratitude for His provision.

(Catch) : Then I listen again, and my son comes to mind. So, I pray for my son Joshua, particularly for his health challenges with blood sugar.

This rhythmic exchange—throw and catch—guides us deeper into God's heart, revealing what He desires us to focus on and pray about. It transforms prayer from a monologue into a dialogue with the divine, a conversation that enriches and directs our spiritual lives.

Here are some additional examples of how this model could be applied:

Example 1: Praying for Guidance

(Throw) : "Lord, I'm facing a tough decision at work and I'm not sure which path to take. Please guide me."

(Catch) : Take some silence, waiting for a sense of peace, a scripture that comes to mind.

(Throw) : Use the scripture verses you have thought of to pray some more

Example 2: Seeking Comfort in Grief

(Throw) :  "Father, my heart is heavy with grief since I lost Phylis. I need your comfort."

(Catch ) : Remain still, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring comfort, perhaps through a memory, a feeling of warmth, or a comforting thought.

(Throw) : "Thank you for reminding me of that particular memory. I'll pray now, rejoicing in thankfulness for Phyliss.

Example 3: Intercession for a Friend

(Throw) :  "Father God, I lift up my friend Steve, who is struggling with worry. Please provide what they need."

(Catch): Listen for any specific action God might want you to take—maybe a nudge to call them, offer help, or a scripture to share.

Example 4: Confession and Repentance

(Throw) : "Lord, I confess that I have been very angry towards my Husband/Wife. I'm truly sorry and want to turn away from this behaviour."

(Catch) : Wait for God's assurance of forgiveness and for any conviction on steps to avoid this sin in the future.

In each of these examples, the key is not to rush the process but to give space for God to speak into the situation, believing that prayer is a two-way conversation that involves both speaking and listening.

The "throw and catch" model is about fostering a relationship with God where there is a dynamic exchange, and each individual can grow in their spiritual life by being attentive and responsive to God's voice.

TAKING IT FURTHER

Here are six possible actionable steps you can take to move yourself forward and grow in this area. Why not choose two now and start doing them?

1.     Make a commitment to a daily practice for 30 days.  Carve out a time each day for the next 30 days to engage in the "throw and catch" prayer model. I say ‘carve out’ because it won't happen unless you decide what stops to fit this in. Don’t find the time - carve it out. !!!  
Document this spiritual journey in a journal, and observe how your conversations with God evolve.

2.     Become a storyteller of Faith.  I encourage you to become a beacon of inspiration by sharing your "throw and catch" prayer experiences with someone close to you. Let your story ignite a spark of curiosity and faith in others.

3.     Create a throw-and-catch prayer circle. I invite you to gather friends or family members and form a prayer circle of three to five people. Meet regularly (phone calls and Zoom are OK) to practice "throw and catch" and witness the collective growth in your spiritual lives.

4.     Pass it On. I encourage you to find someone who might benefit from learning the "throw and catch" model and offer to teach them. In teaching, you'll also reinforce your own understanding and commitment to this practice.

5.     Find yourself a prayer partner.  I encourage you to seek out a prayer partner. You can share your experiences and support each other in staying true to this prayerful practice. Again – phone calls and Zoom are fine

6.     Act on what you hear.  Put your faith into action. When you catch a prompting from God, take the courageous next steps to bring it to life. Let your actions be a testament to the power of prayerful dialogue

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