2021 Football Person of Influence Prayer Walk

 

Parents, coaches, and administration gathered at Carson Stadium last Thursday morning for the annual Football Person of Influence Prayer Walk.  The morning was spent praying over our Cavalier coaches and athletes for a successful season filled with growth as individuals and as a team.

 

This common method of intercessory prayer involves walking while praying at the location of the individual or group’s prayer journey.  Quin Hatfield, Head Football Coach, spoke in a powerful moment saying, “This is what our program is all about – developing young men. Helping them elevate on the field, in the classroom and in life.” Hatfield emphasized wanting his players to identify as Christ Church Episcopal School (instead of the Cavaliers), as a constant reminder to think about their identity being in Christ. He says, “There’s a responsibility in that, but also great freedom and confidence in how we live and play.”

 

A special tradition for the CCES football program, this event means a lot to the community and has taken place for 10 years.  One participant commented, “At the end of the prayer walk, it was a powerful image to see the footprints covering the football field.  Every person who stopped at each yard marker represented a player and prayed for that students' experience in the program— their growth and development as a young man, and their spiritual, mental, and physical wellness.”

 

Several teams have followed suit with their own prayer walks to kick-off their seasons.  CCES coaches as a whole believe in coaching character first and foremost.  This extraordinary approach to athletics, and the care and intentionality in which it’s executed, is just one reason CCES Athletics is such an exemplary program.  In addition to creating a culture of responsibility, accountability, and ownership, CCES Athletics develops competitive, well-balanced students, coaches, and teams who faithfully pursue excellence with integrity in sport and their community.