Prayers for the Peloton is a daily prayer book written to meet the spiritual need in competitive cycling. In particular I wanted to let the cycling community know that no matter what the challenge, someone has prayed for them to fight through to victory.
I wrote Prayers in 2008 when I came off the race circuit to care for aging parents, and then blogged it, updating as I blogged, about twice weekly until completion in November, 2011. The book is dedicated to my parents, Bernard DeSeal Leasure and M. June Leasure, two prayer warriors and victors in life, who enjoyed riding bikes.
Under the sub-headings for Prayers for the Peloton, the book contains a daily prayer, roughly tracking the competitive road racing season. Six prayers per week are offered – assuming a rest day, even from spiritual discipline. Six days for off-season contemplation is also offered under October. See the original Table of Contents below.
Some of the Titles of daily prayers were modified when blogged but the format remains the same. Interestingly, even though written and scheduled to blog well prior, many of the blog entries responded to the current, publicized and private, needs in the race community. This was purely providential, perhaps a sign that a loving God loves those who race bikes.
| November | |||||
| This Treasured Subculture | Prayer for You, the Special Reader | ||||
| A Time for Everything | |||||
| Finding the Balance | Prayer for Rest | ||||
| Repairing | Prayer for Restored Body | ||||
| Let It Go | Prayer for Release | ||||
| Clean It Up | Prayer for Internal Health | ||||
| Reconnecting | Prayer for Reciprocity | ||||
| Re-Evaluating | Prayer for Wisdom | ||||
| Racing Community | |||||
| Riders Ready | Prayer for Race Officials | ||||
| Wrenches, Wenches & Trenches | Prayer for Bicycle Mechanics | ||||
| 2,016 Water Bottles | Prayer for Soigneurs | ||||
| Event-full | Prayer for Race Promoters & Volunteers | ||||
| A Picture’s Worth | Prayer for Photographers & Cameramen | ||||
| Extra, Extra | Prayer for Media | ||||
| Clean Cycling | |||||
| Burnished Medals | Prayer for Ethics | ||||
| A Painful Reveille | Prayer for Conscience | ||||
| Dark Places | Prayer for Consequences | ||||
| A Lightened Burden | Prayer for Confession | ||||
| Racing at Two Speeds | Prayer for Team Docs, Medical Community | ||||
| Passport to Somewhere | Prayer for Control: Procedures & Enforcers | ||||
| Cross Training | |||||
| Confidence Builders | Prayer for Cross-Training | ||||
| Bearing One’s Cross | Prayer for Cyclo-Cross Community | ||||
| High Tail It | Prayer for Mountain Bike Community | ||||
| Beyond the Blue Line | Prayer for Track Racing | ||||
| Powerhouse, Poses & Posture | Prayer for Strength, Flexibility Conditioning | ||||
| December | |||||
| Firm Foundation | |||||
| Live Chat | Prayer for Training Program, Coaches | ||||
| Bloody Good Show | Prayer for Health Check-Ups | ||||
| Conconi, Wingate, Schoberer & Co | Prayer for Performance Tests, Physiologists | ||||
| Body Geometry | Prayer for Bike Positioning & Fitters | ||||
| General Store | Prayer for Bike Maintenance, Shops | ||||
| Hitched | Prayer for Bike Clubs | ||||
| Winter Homework | |||||
| Money in the Bank | Prayer for Endurance | ||||
| No Excuses | Prayer for Work Ethic | ||||
| Frozen Nose, Toes & Clothes | Prayer for Cold Weather Preparation | ||||
| Making Music | Prayer for Pedaling Efficiency | ||||
| wanna make u Jump Jump | Prayer for Neuromuscular Reactivity | ||||
| Rock On | Prayer for Indoor Training | ||||
| High Octane Fuel | |||||
| Your Ambrosia | Prayer for Healthy Diet, Good Nutrition | ||||
| Necessary Nectar | Prayer for Hydration | ||||
| Intangible Assets | Prayer for Sunlight, Pure Air, Sleep | ||||
| Boosts & Balms | Prayer for Clean Supplementation, Meds | ||||
| Fast Feeds | Prayer for Ride/Race Fueling | ||||
| Another Nourishment | Prayer for Encouragement | ||||
| The Spiritual Cyclist | |||||
| Christmas Wishes | Prayer for Joy | ||||
| Higher Power | Prayer for Faith | ||||
| Heart Power | Prayer for Forgiveness | ||||
| Staying Power | Prayer for Patience | ||||
| Wielding Power | Prayer for Humility | ||||
| Lean, Serene, Cycling Keen | Prayer for Peace | ||||
| January | |||||
| New Year’s Resolve | |||||
| Signs Between Switchbacks | Prayer for Direction | ||||
| Cyclist of the Year | Prayer for Goal-Setting | ||||
| Making It Happen | Prayer for Planning | ||||
| Les Sept Chemins The Seven Ways | Prayer for Event Selection | ||||
| Modernization | Prayer for Logistics & Licensing | ||||
| Shifting Gears | Prayer for Adaptability | ||||
| Warming Up | |||||
| Warm Climes | Prayer for Travel | ||||
| Warm Accommodations | Prayer for Hosts | ||||
| Warm Climbs | Prayer for Climbing Fitness/Strength | ||||
| Warm Bods | Prayer for Massage/Therapeutic Treatments | ||||
| Warm Thoughts | Prayer for Positive Thinking | ||||
| Warm Companions | Prayer for Training Partners | ||||
| No “I” in Team | |||||
| Plein Air Professionals | Prayer for Pro Teams | ||||
| The Right People | Prayer for Team Leadership | ||||
| Top Down | Prayer for Ownership/General Management | ||||
| All-In | Prayer for Teamwork | ||||
| Extreme Preparation | Prayer for Teambuilding/Training Camps | ||||
| Field Commander | Prayer for Directeur Sportif | ||||
| Skills Seminar | |||||
| Bump-n-Thump | Prayer for Bike Handling Skills | ||||
| Savoir Faire: In the Know | Prayer for Competence & Skills Mastery | ||||
| A River Runs Through It | Prayer for Pack Skills | ||||
| Rage Against The Machine | Prayer for Cornering Skills | ||||
| Clocked at 64mph | Prayer for Descending Skills | ||||
| Million-Dollar Decision | Prayer for Safety | ||||
| World-Wide Welcome Back | |||||
| Blessing of the Bikes | Prayer for Racing Season | ||||
| New World Class | Prayer for Globalization | ||||
| International Cycling Relations | Prayer for Union Cyclist Internationale | ||||
| Invitation Only | Prayer for Racing Organizations | ||||
| Off To See The Wizard | Prayer for Australian Cycling | ||||
| Magic Carpet Ride | Prayer for Middle East Cycling | ||||
| February | |||||
| Beginnings & Endings | |||||
| Mass Starts | Prayer for Group Rides/Training Races | ||||
| Flashes of Lightning | Prayer for Anaerobic Power | ||||
| Warm-Up, Warm-Down | Prayer for Pre-Ride & Recovery Procedures | ||||
| Dressing for Success | Prayer for Cycling Clothing | ||||
| Schwag | Prayer for Equipment Stewardship | ||||
| Bike Love | Prayer for Bicycles | ||||
| My Funny Valentine | |||||
| Love & Bicycling | Prayer for Relationships | ||||
| In Tandem | Prayer for Marriage & Family | ||||
| Solo Attempt | Prayer for Singles | ||||
| In My Ear | Prayer for Communication | ||||
| Trading Pace | Prayer for Conflict Resolution | ||||
| Abandonée DNF | Prayer for Calling It Quits | ||||
| Us – United Spokes | |||||
| Eagles Wings | Prayer for American Cycling | ||||
| Accord Paritaire Joint Agreement | Prayer for Athletes Rights | ||||
| Power To The Peloton | Prayer for Cycling Unions | ||||
| Links in the Chain | Prayer for International Associations | ||||
| United Front | Prayer for National Federations | ||||
| Nouveau Départ Fresh Start | Prayer for New Race Season | ||||
| Foreign Tourin’ | |||||
| Cycling Explorers | Prayer for Cycling Fun | ||||
| irie jammin Powerful Good Times | Prayer for Caribbean Cycling | ||||
| Bike Relief | Prayer for African Cycling | ||||
| Tranquilo! Relax! | Prayer for Central American Cycling | ||||
| Sin Represas Without Power-lines | Prayer for South American Cycling | ||||
| Superhighway | Prayer for Asian Cycling | ||||
| March | |||||
| In Like a Lamb | |||||
| Like Sheep Astray | Prayer for Lead-Out Skills | ||||
| Sacrificial Lambs | Prayer for Domestiques | ||||
| Gray Sheep | Prayer for Charity Rides | ||||
| Counting Sheep | Prayer for Time Adjustment/Jet Lag | ||||
| Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing | Prayer for Purity/Goodness | ||||
| Baaahd Manners | Prayer for Gentleness/Competitive Etiquette | ||||
| March Madness | |||||
| Bad Blow | Prayer for Colds, Flu Recovery | ||||
| Blown Chances | Prayer for Repair/Wheel Change | ||||
| Blowing Up | Prayer for Catching On | ||||
| Road Rage | Prayer for Caravan Safety | ||||
| Foe & Friend | Prayer for Competitors | ||||
| Off the Baccalaureate | Prayer for Collegiate Cycling | ||||
| Going Green | |||||
| Maillot Vert Green Jersey | Prayer for Sprint Fitness/Skills | ||||
| Road Envy | Prayer for Cycling Advocacy | ||||
| Green Light | Prayer for Traffic Safety/Commuters | ||||
| Greener Pastures | Prayer for Environmentalism | ||||
| Green Balloons | Prayer for a Happy Birthday | ||||
| Incremental Gains | Prayer for Irish Cycling | ||||
| Out Like A Lion | |||||
| Ways of the Windblown | Prayer for Echelon Skills | ||||
| Hung Out to Dry | Prayer for Spring Conditions | ||||
| Go Fly a Kite La Flamme Rouge | Prayer for Tolerance of Pain | ||||
| Returns the Roar! | Prayer for Spring Classics | ||||
| Gocce de Vita Drops of Life | Prayer for Italian Cycling | ||||
| La Primavera First of the Season | Prayer for Milan San Remo | ||||
| April | |||||
| April Fools | |||||
| Anyone Can Race a Grand Tour | Prayer for Public Relations | ||||
| Fool for You | Prayer for Public Image | ||||
| Fool’s Paradise | Prayer for Discernment | ||||
| Tomfoolery | Prayer for Teachability | ||||
| Fools Rush In | Prayer for Strategic Insight | ||||
| Court Jester | Prayer for Public Disclosure | ||||
| Spring Classics | |||||
| Grand’Place de Grote Markt Market Square | Prayer for Belgian Cycling | ||||
| Light Enough for the Pavé | Prayer for Cobblestone Skills | ||||
| Vlaanderens Mooiste Best of Flanders | Prayer for Tour of Flanders | ||||
| La Diadème Doré Gilded Crown | Prayer for French Cycling | ||||
| La Pascale The Easter Race | Prayer for Paris-Roubaix | ||||
| April Showers | Prayer for Rain Skills | ||||
| Gezwind Straat Fleet Street | Prayer for Dutch Cycling | ||||
| Dutch Masters | Prayer for Amstel Gold | ||||
| Arrow on Target | Prayer for Flèche Wallonne | ||||
| La Doyenne Grandma Ardennes | Prayer for Liège-Bastogne-Liège | ||||
| Ab und Zu On and Off | Prayer for German Cycling | ||||
| Second Wind | Prayer for Rund…Turm | ||||
| Private Cycling | |||||
| Personal Points | Prayer for Saddle Comfort | ||||
| Private Parts | Prayer re: Cyclist’s Syndrome | ||||
| Nature Break | Prayer for Modesty | ||||
| Sacred Places | Prayer for Sexuality | ||||
| Puzzling Area | Prayer re: External Iliac Arterial Endofibrosis | ||||
| Tattooed Tips | Prayer for Road Rash Care | ||||
| May | |||||
| May Day, May Day, May Day | |||||
| Game On | Prayer for Race Readiness | ||||
| Crash Course | Prayer for Safety | ||||
| Save Our Skins | Prayer for Emergency Preparedness | ||||
| Cycling’s Samaritans | Prayer for Emergency Personnel | ||||
| Break…Away | Prayer for Strong Bones | ||||
| Psyched to Return | Prayer for Injury Management | ||||
| Follow the Leader | Prayer for Overcoming Fear after Crashing | ||||
| Respect as Response | Prayer for Paralympic Cycling | ||||
| See Our Smiles | Prayer for Special Olympics Cycling | ||||
| Give Us A Break | Prayer for Radio Communications | ||||
| Winsome, Lose Some | Prayer for Race Announcers | ||||
| Break-In | Prayer against Bike Theft/Crime | ||||
| May Flowers | |||||
| Fresh Blossoms | Prayer for Youth Cycling | ||||
| Race for the Roses | Prayer to Stretch Limits | ||||
| Mountain Laurel | Prayer for Climbing Speed | ||||
| Winner’s Bouquet | Prayer for Podium Presence | ||||
| Corsa Rosa Pink Tour | Prayer for Giro d’Italia | ||||
| Smell the Roses | Prayer for Active Recovery | ||||
| In Memoriam | |||||
| Memorial Day | Prayer for Military Riders | ||||
| Mastered Lifestyle | Prayer for Veteran Riders | ||||
| Streets of Gold | Prayer for Facing Mortality | ||||
| Ride of Silence | Prayer re: Fallen Cyclists | ||||
| Maillot Noir Mourning Jersey | Prayer re: Loss & Grief | ||||
| Backpedal | Prayer for Remembrance | ||||
| June | |||||
| Championship Qualities | |||||
| Few Enter In | Prayer for Self-Denial | ||||
| It’s not about the Bike | Prayer for Identity | ||||
| Our Heroes | Prayer for Cycling’s Champions | ||||
| Goat Paths | Prayer for Discipline | ||||
| Audience of One | Prayer for Total Release Performance | ||||
| Songs of Victory | Prayer for God’s Help | ||||
| Championship Psychology | |||||
| Tenth Percentile | Prayer for Victory | ||||
| Invincible Strength | Prayer for Love Motivation | ||||
| Journey & Journalists | Prayer re: Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation | ||||
| Sensual Cycling | Prayer for Situational Awareness | ||||
| Bird’s Eye View | Prayer for Ride Instinct | ||||
| Brutal Facts | Prayer for Realism | ||||
| Championship Presence | |||||
| A Prince’s Robe | Prayer for Bike Poise | ||||
| Balance Point | Prayer for Self-Control | ||||
| The Zone | Prayer for Intensity | ||||
| Cloak & Dagger | Prayer for Stealth | ||||
| For Such a Time | Prayer for Influence | ||||
| Polished Diamonds | Prayer for Refinement | ||||
| Championship Emotions | |||||
| Attack, Counterattack | Prayer for Anger Management | ||||
| At-Risk | Prayer for Emotional Health | ||||
| Tout est Possible Everything’s Possible | Prayer re: Aggressiveness | ||||
| Chasing the Wind | Prayer re: Envy | ||||
| All the Road’s a Stage | Prayer re: Drama | ||||
| Professional Courtesy | Prayer for Competitive Respect | ||||
| Championship Spirit | |||||
| Spirit Power | Prayer for Spiritual Life | ||||
| Spiritual Peloton | Prayer for Sanctification | ||||
| Team Spirit | Prayer for Chaplaincy | ||||
| Yield What You Want | Prayer for Submission | ||||
| Opposition Attracted | Prayer re: Handling Criticism | ||||
| Chain Tension | Prayer for Stewardship | ||||
| July | |||||
| Championship Physiology | |||||
| Suspended Ceiling | Prayer for VO2 Max | ||||
| Rainbow Silhouettes | Prayer re: Power Profile | ||||
| The Backpack | Prayer for Strength to Weight Ratio | ||||
| Biological Clock | Prayer for Time Trial Ability | ||||
| Cycles & Sabbaths | Prayer for Periodization | ||||
| Peaks & Valleys | Prayer for Peaking & Tapering | ||||
| Championship Strategy | |||||
| The Victory Continuum | Prayer for Winning Skills | ||||
| Steam Engine | Prayer for Coping with Pressure | ||||
| Aerobus | Prayer for Roster Selection | ||||
| Break It Down | Prayer for Segmentation | ||||
| True Disciples | Prayer for GC Tactics | ||||
| Sole Survivor | Prayer for Solo Situations | ||||
| Championship Lifestyle | |||||
| Know The All-Powerful | Prayer for Time with God | ||||
| Know Thyself | Prayer for Purpose in Cycling | ||||
| Short Accounts | Prayer for Supportive Relationships | ||||
| Shoes Not Made for Walkin’ | Prayer for Boundaries & Routine | ||||
| Still Small Voice | Prayer for Specialized Intelligence | ||||
| Off to the Mines | Prayer for Stable Resources | ||||
| Summer Sunshine | |||||
| Yellow Rays | Prayer for the Tour de France | ||||
| Long Shadows | Prayer for Speed Endurance | ||||
| Warm Crowds | Prayer for Fans & Spectators | ||||
| Hot Pick | Prayer for Most Aggressive Rider | ||||
| Sons Rising | Prayer for Best Young Rider & Espoirs | ||||
| Superb Sunsets | Prayer for Completion | ||||
| August | |||||
| Summer Carnival | |||||
| Speed Season | Prayer for Criterium Racing | ||||
| Sounds of Summer | Prayer for Criterium Fitness & Specialists | ||||
| Summit on the Road | Prayer re: Collusion | ||||
| Rainbow Tour | Prayer for European Cycling | ||||
| 8 Years for a Day | Prayer for Olympic Cycling | ||||
| Street Performers | Prayer for Celebration | ||||
| Heat Wave | |||||
| Wheels Flambé | Prayer re: Burn-Out | ||||
| Some Like it Hot | Prayer for Heat Acclimatization | ||||
| Hot & Bothered | Prayer for Sex Drive & Racing | ||||
| What’s Hot, What’s Not | Prayer re: Trends & Fads | ||||
| Dog Days | Prayer re: Animal Interaction | ||||
| Cycling Mirage | Prayer for Road Infrastructure | ||||
| Seasonal Transitions | |||||
| Reverie & Realism | Prayer for the Future | ||||
| Blame Game | Prayer to Take Responsibility | ||||
| Missed the Break Day 1 | Prayer for Realistic Assessment | ||||
| Bridge the Gap Day 2 | Prayer for Realistic Assessment | ||||
| Dreams Dashed | Prayer for New Expectations | ||||
| Stair-Step Climb | Prayer for Renewed Expectations | ||||
| Race Favorite | Prayer for Favor | ||||
| Harvest Work | Prayer for Contentment | ||||
| Wheeling & Dealing | Prayer for Team Politics | ||||
| Buddy System | Prayer for Peer Support | ||||
| Wheels In True | Prayer for Contracts & Negotiations | ||||
| Bittersweet Fruit | Prayer for Comebacks | ||||
| September | |||||
| The Hard Rode | |||||
| Battles & Wars | Prayer re: Losing & Failure | ||||
| Bonking & Bulimia | Prayer for Weight Management | ||||
| Broken Hearts & Bad Company | Prayer re: Loneliness & Isolation | ||||
| Bad Guys & Good Guys | Prayer re: Unpopularity | ||||
| Between Rides | Prayer re: Vanishing Events/Opportunities | ||||
| Broke & Bewildered | Prayer re: Lack & Uncertainty | ||||
| Bottom Line to Start Line | |||||
| Tour de Globe | Prayer for Cycling’s Prosperity | ||||
| Hamstrings & Purse Strings | Prayer for Financial Resources | ||||
| Outside the (Tool) Box | Prayer for Resourcefulness | ||||
| Grass Is Green | Prayer for Human Resources | ||||
| Free Wheeling | Prayer for Fiscal Responsibility | ||||
| Rolling Billboards | Prayer for Cash Sponsorship | ||||
| Title Sponsor | Prayer for Brand Building | ||||
| Spokespeople | Prayer for Marketing & Advertising | ||||
| Market Bikes | Prayer for Equipment Sponsorship | ||||
| Bike Messengers | Prayer for Cycling Manufacturers | ||||
| Bike Holidays | Prayer for Bike Trade Shows | ||||
| Race for the Cure | Prayer for Cause Sponsorship | ||||
| Autumn Glory | |||||
| Golden Season | Prayer for Fall Classics | ||||
| Golden Asset | Prayer for La Vuelta a España | ||||
| Annual Colors | Prayer for World Championships | ||||
| What Goes Up | Prayer for Altitude Acclimatization | ||||
| Must Come Down | Prayer for Cooling Off | ||||
| Golden Years | Prayer for Lifetime Cycling | ||||
| Ride IQ | |||||
| DQ: Deception Quotient | Prayer for Clarity | ||||
| Smart Cycling | Prayer for Brain Power & Problem-Solving | ||||
| Bikes-Wit-Byte | Prayer for Knowledge & Information | ||||
| Peloton Review | Prayer for Cycling Research | ||||
| Proctors of the Peloton | Prayer for Testing Methodologies | ||||
| Patents of the Peloton | Prayer for Cycling Technologies | ||||
| October | |||||
| WWCD: What Would Cyclists Do? | |||||
| Cyclists Pace Prayer for Pacing Strategy | |||||
| Cyclists Equalize | Prayer for Women’s Cycling | ||||
| Cyclists Rule | Prayer for Government & Police | ||||
| Cyclists Breathe | Prayer for Exercise-Induced Asthma | ||||
| Cyclists Speak | Prayer for Canadian & British Cycling | ||||
| Cyclists Pray | Prayer for Us, The Cycling Community | ||||
| Victory Lap | |||||
| For Our Deeds | Praise for Accomplishments | ||||
| Faithful Responses | Praise for Answers to Prayer | ||||
| Fantastic Reorganization | Praise for Cycling Reforms | ||||
| Fellowship Resumes | Praise for Renewed Cooperation | ||||
| Fare Thee Well | Praise for Racing Season | ||||
| Finish Line | Praise for Off-Season | ||||
| Prayers Revisited An off-week study guide to start your rest period | |||||
| Favorite Prayer | Day 1 | ||||
| Day 2 | |||||
| Challenging Prayer | Day 1 | ||||
| Day 2 | |||||
| New Prayer | Day 1 | ||||
| Day 2 | |||||
| Oktoberfest | |||||
| Off-Season Transition Two Weeks unstructured praise & restful prayer | |||||
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