WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I have always said a prayer to give thanks for an animals sacrifice and thank our good Lord for the harvest. I don' t know why, maybe it was the passing of my Dad, but in the last few years, I have really felt close to him , the great outdoors and God while I pray with/over the harvest.

It feels great and I am not ashamed to say tears have run down this man' s face, more than once. I also pray when there is no harvest, just to thank God for being alive and able to enjoy the great outdoors.

I have told my family if anything should ever happen to me, to not let me die in a hospital bed if possible. I wouldn' t want my last sights to be inside, under artificial fluoresent lights. (By the way fluoresent lights are quite bad for your health, both phyically and mentally) I want my last living experience to be with the things I love most, the great outdoors, God' s wonderful wild creatures and most of all THE WONDERFUL FAMILY He has blessed me with!

My question is WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER OF THANKS AFTER A SUCCESSFUL HUNT? And, if you don' t mind, would you share a little bit of your favorite prayers? I am trying to find a very simple yet pointed prayer to start my own boys out with.

Much thanks to any and all who reply!

GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN!

Uncle Matt (in Illinois)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I always Thank the LORD for letting me have one of HIS most awesome animals in HIS entire creation.The LORD really created a most magnificant animal when he created a majestic buck deer with his polished antlers and graceful while powerful yet ghostlike movement thru the woods.I never take one lightly and remember GOD don' t just own the cattle of a thousand hills,HE owns the deer too.I' m thankful for every year I get to hunt and walk in the beautiful outdoors,for GOD walks these hills with me.

woods

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I often thank my Lord after a successful hunt. Some of my closest times with God have been sitting quietly in a deer stand.
I remember well my best deer, a large 9 point that hangs proudly in my den. I had just sat in my tree climber, rocking back and forth because of a strong wind. The clouds were giving way to a beautiful afternoon but I didn' t figure I' d see anything because of the wind. Though I had only been there a few minutes, I began to think I was wasting my time. Instead of leaving, I started to pray, thanking Jesus for just the priviledge of being in His wonderful woods. I felt His presence as strong as I have ever felt in any worship service. After I finished my prayer, I looked down and standing there was my 9 point, standing broad side at 20 yards!
It reminds me of the time Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac and the Lord provided a ram! We serve an awesome God!

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

You know it does my heart good to see Christian men not affraid to voice their faith in our Lord. I too pray over my harvest, be it small game or big game. After all God created them all. I pray to the lord daily thanking him and praising him for all that he does. I have spent many hours over the years, while hunting, since I gave my life to Christ, thanking God for his natural creations.

As for a particular prayer, I don' t have one. I pray for each harvest as it comes, the circumstances surounding the harvest, the hunt itself and what ever else comes to mind when I' m in prayer.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Though I do not consider myself a religious person I did start thanking " the Big Guy" after each harvest. Lets just say that I am covering all my bases. ;)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I too pray when I get an animal. God created that animal and raised it, fed it, and kept it safe. And I give thanks when he chooses me to be the one that takes that animal.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Yes, I have prayed many times on stand while hunting. I often feel closer to God while in the woods and watching the sunrise on a frosty fall morning. The beauty God has given us on those mornings are special times for me. I feel I am in the presence of the Lords most cherished cathedral. Kinda makes me feel sorry for
those who do not hunt and are missing out in Gods splendor.

No special prayer, I just reflect on my feelings and needs at the time.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

i too thank the good Lord for His provisions for me. this past year i shot a small buck in the rain and while i was waiting for my favorite hunting buddy (my dad) to get the truck i sat down on the ground beside the deer and thanked my Lord for His goodness. It is a blessing just to be out in the woods and to be able to hunt with my dad anytime we get something is just an added blessing. anyway sitting in the rain that day was a feeling that i will never forget as the rain ran down my face i realized just how fortunate i really am. My God is a loving, powerful, and a gracious God!:)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I also say thank you after harvesting the most beautiful animal in the woods.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

i say a prayer before i head into the woods for luck and for the deer i will shoot and i say one in my blind. for anything i hunt for turkeys, deer, small game.

slayer

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I pray to let him allow me to shoot a deer, yet it never works.. i guess hes to busy saving lives :-/

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I PRAY IN THE WOODS ,IN MY BED ,,AT MY CHURCH ,IN MY CAR, ANYWHERE ANYTIME. GOD IS MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG AND I THANK HIM FOR SALVATION BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. GOD IS GOOD .PRAY FROM THE HEART ,TALK TO HIM LIKE HE IS YOUR FATHER.HE ALREADY KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED.I WOULD SUGGEST YOU MODEL YOUR PRAYERS AFTER JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. TEACH YIUR BOYS AND GIRLS TO START WITH PRAISE ASK FOR MERCY AND GIVE THANKS FOR EVERY THING GOD PROVIDES . GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS ..

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I have always thanked the animal I harvested for giving its life for me and prayed it gods speed to heavens great forest.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Its great to read the above posts and feel the meaningness and importance hunting is to all of you. Though I do not pray, the feelings I have towards my hunt and my hunting partners runs deep.

This thing we do in the woods brings us close, very close to what is important to each of us, be it god, family, nature, or ourselves.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

My Dads family passed on this prayer and i am keeping the tradition alive. Each time I enter the woods I say this little prayer.

" Thank you God for granting me life and the ability to enjoy your magnificent creation. You said " if I ask you will give me command over the land and the seas" Today I am asking for you to be with me & command over the land and seas. Lets me wallow in your pressence & bueatiful creation. My I return home properous, rejuvinated and safely. In your name I ask that your guiding angels encompass me as I embark on my journey...amen"

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

[:-]

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Just to be out there is enough reason to give thanks
an animal is an extended blessing from God!!

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I' ve always said a prayer of thanks for a successful hunt. Just one of them things I do...

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Sometimes the most simple prayer is the one that never takes you away from the moment. To harvest your game and then to give thanks always seems to be that little piece Anti' s leave out in their protests. But then again since WE are the true Wildlife Conservationists of the world, who are we to answer to anyone, but a higher power that helped feed are families? I stick to something short that strikes home and lets me relish the moment. Even when it' s a rabbit! ;)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I do... Even if I don' t harvest an animal. However, I thanks the good Lord for allowing me the ability to enjoy his wonderful creation here on earth and the blessing of being fortunate to have harvested his game.

I will thank the animal as well. To some this may seem moot but I feel just in doing so.

I am happy to see other hunter whom share the love of the Lord on this forum.

Jred. :)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I always say a prayer of thanks giving after harvesting an animal. Then every time we have venison or goose for supper the family gives thanks to God again for providing our feast.

Robin.:)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Always! I pray for my safety before every hunt and I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be out in his beutiful creation.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I often pray for the wonderful things the LORD gives us all the animals and the beautie of nature. I also thank the Lord for letting me have the chance to spend the time i can in the great outdoors. and for the animals i harvest.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I pray often, not necessarily for thanksgiving of a harvest, but for all my many blessings! Just being healthy enough to hunt is by the grace of God and deserves our thanking him often.

Thank you Lord Jesus for all my many Blessings.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Before and after each hunt wether I am sucessful or not. Just want the man upstairs to know I' m thankfull for the chance to be outdoors.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I not only thank him for a successful harvest but also for allowing me the time to hunt and enjoy his creations on unsuccessful days.

I am fortunate to spend many days afield and now they seem a little more special since my son (7 yrs old) has started joining me!

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I, too, say a small prayer over the animals I harvest. Often, this prayer includes an apology to the animal in the manner of many Native American tribes who felt this was necessary to appease the spirits.

It is always with a touch of sadness that I lay my eyes on one of God' s most magnificent creatures lying still in the woods, woods in which I am only a brief visitor and in which I am blessed to able feel at one with Nature; woods where God grants me safe passage and wonderful bounty for my family.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I always say a prayer in the woods. I say one everytime I settle into my stand, just to thank the lord for another beautiful day.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

DEFINITELY! I always do before i get set up in the stand.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I' m glad to see other Christian hunters stating their feelings here.

I often pray while I' m hunting. For a big buck, a long-beard, a close shot, for shots for my hunters, for being alive, for being able to hunt, for being able to hunt as a way of living, for children who suffer (especially those in the wars).

I also thank God that Todd gave me my own forum here (T.R.' S Tips).

I guess the best way to express my feeling is to post my " testimony. I think it' s time I did.

A Hunter Who Survived Suicide

I was born to unwed parents; a twelve year old girl, and an eighteen year old boy. I was then adopted by Dr. Roger Michels and his wife Pat, and grew up in Willmar, Minnesota, where I attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. After high school I enrolled in St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, with plans of going into wildlife research. But, I left college to work as a horse trainer and trail guide on a guest in ranch in Loveland, Colorado. After several years I moved to Cheyenne Wyoming, where I managed a pet store and sold men' s clothing. My life was fairly settled, I had a good job, dated occasionally, and on the outside I appeared happy. But, I felt alone, and I was depressed.

While I was in Cheyenne my parents had become “Born Again“ Christians. Learning of my depression they flew to Cheyenne and shared their newfound knowledge of Christ with me. Shortly after they left I found myself in a Catholic church for the first time in years, and I knew I had found what I was looking for, a relationship with God. I began to attend church regularly, and a few months later I was invited to a “Charismatic” prayer meeting by one of the nuns from the church. Within weeks I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, received “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit” and became a “Born Again” Christian.

For the next several years I was on fire for the Lord, and became the leader of the prayer group in Cheyenne. When I moved back to Willmar I became the leader of a prayer group at the local Junior College. In 1997, I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to manage a pet store. I was also trying to start a new business as a pet wholesaler, and working as a musician. Then my girlfriend broke off our relationship. I became depressed and attempted suicide by placing the barrel of a 12 gauge shotgun under my chin and pulling the trigger.

I don’t remember much about the incident, except putting my hands to my face, feeling that a third of it was gone, and realizing that I couldn’t see or speak. I reached for the phone and dialed the operator, but because I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t tell her what was wrong or where I was. I thank God that she realized something was very wrong. Because I couldn’t speak she tried to trace the phone call. When she couldn' t trace the call she tried to find out where I was by asking questions and having me tap on the phone receiver; once for “yes” and twice for “no.”

Meanwhile, my sister Debbie had been trying to reach me on the phone, but she kept getting a busy signal. Because she was worried she called the operator and asked them to cut in on the phone line. The operator told her she couldn’t cut in because it was an emergency situation, and they were trying to trace the call. Debbie explained who she was, and promptly gave the operator my address.

The next thing I remember was the sound of the ambulance coming down the street and the operator telling me that help was on the way. When the paramedic got to the house, he picked up the phone and I remember him telling her, " We' re here. It' s bad, I don' t think he' s going to make it." When I heard those words I gave up, and thought to myself, “Well God, here I come. I haven’t been real good, but I haven’t done anything real bad either. I hope I make it to heaven.”

I don’t remember the ride to the hospital in the ambulance, or the paramedics trying to get me to lay down on the stretcher, so they could put a tracheotomy tube into my throat to help me breathe, because I was drowning in my own blood. I don’t even remember the emergency room doctor asking me if I wanted them to help me. I was in such bad shape that the doctors didn’t know if I would live.

Two months later, as I stood in front of the mirror in my hospital room, I saw my face for the first time after shooting myself. What I saw was a swollen, mutilated, grotesque face, with a plastic brace screwed onto the outside of my shattered jaw to hold it together. At first I felt like I was in a bad dream, and that everything would be all right when I woke up. When I realized that what I saw was real, I tried to jump out the window of my hospital room. Thank God it was locked.

In the following months I had several surgeries to repair the damage I had done to myself. Some of the surgeries were so difficult that I was given the Last Rites. At one point I had seven major surgeries in thirty-five days, one of those surgeries lasted 14 hours. When I woke from the last of those surgeries I had new incisions on my face, both of my legs, my chest, my left side, my left arm, and my left wrist.

While I was in the hospital my parents had flown back from Guam, where they lived. They, along with my sisters, prayed that I would live. They witnessed to me about God’s mercy, and told me that they were sure that God had a plan for me. In spite of several failed surgeries, I somehow kept my faith in God.

Over the next ten years I had major surgery every six months. Muscle was taken from my upper arm, my side and my chest to repair my face and the roof of my mouth, which was no longer there; blood vessels were taken from both my feet, and the top of my head to provide blood for the muscle transplants. Bone was taken from both my hips, the left side of my pelvis, and a rib from my right side to repair my upper and lower jaw; skin was taken from my upper thighs six different times to transplant to my mouth and sinuses. I barely recovered from one surgery before I went in for another one. After I had my twenty-first surgery I decided not to have any more. Even though the doctors told me they could do more, I had had enough.

While I was still having reconstructive surgery I met my wife Diane, and we were married in 1984. I adopted her daughter Melissa two years later. We then had a son, Dallas, and another daughter, Tawnya. In an effort to regain some semblance of a normal life I attended the Wilderness Guides and Packers School in Jackson, Wyoming, where I received my diploma as a certified hunting guide. Two years later I formed T.R. Michels Guide Service; booking hunts for several guides and outfitters in North America. I also guided for elk in New Mexico, and for goose, deer and turkey in Minnesota. For the next few years I was busy throughout the year booking hunts, guiding, and giving seminars at sport shows. Then, because I was away from home for much of the year, Diane left me.

During the first years of our marriage our family had attended church regularly. But, we had not been attending prayer meetings. After Diane left I felt the need for Christian fellowship, support and prayer, and I began attending a Catholic Charismatic prayer meeting in North Saint Paul, Minnesota. Within six months Diane returned home and our family began to regularly attend prayer meetings, with a renewed faith in the Lord.

One night while we were praying in tongues at the prayer meeting my son Dallas whispered to me that he wanted to pray in " tongues" too. But, he said he didn' t know how. I told him, " Maybe you don' t know how, but the Holy Spirit does, just let him do it for you." While I was talking to him I noticed that my youngest daughter Tawnya was praying in tongues, which she had never done before. And then Dallas began praying in tongues. I know now that they had both accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and that on that night they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit; Dallas was eight years old, Tawnya was six. My oldest daughter Melissa gave her life to Christ later that same year; she was 13.

In 1999, Melissa became engaged to Greg Boehmer, who she had been dating since she was 13 years old. Later that year a local evangelist, Lowell Lundstrom, invited me to speak at the 2000 Wild Game Dinner at Celebration Church in Lakeville, Minnesota. Greg accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the dinner that night. Then, on Easter Saturday of 2001, five weeks before he married Melissa, Greg was baptized, confirmed and celebrated his first communion in the Catholic Church. I am proud to say that I now have another " Born Again" son.

By the grace of God I began writing my column Maximum Effort Hunting System (which has been published in several Midwest publications) in 1987. I began giving seminars at sport shows throughout the Midwest in 1988. I designed Konifer camouflage for the Cabela’s catalog in 1989, and Field “Stalker” for the Herter’s catalog in 1992. I wrote my first two books Goose Addict’s Manual and Elk Addict’s Manual during that time. In 1997 I began writing for the National Rifle Association’s American Hunter.

I currently write for the National Wild Turkey Federation' s Turkey Call, Petersen’s Bowhunting, Buckmasters, Bow and Arrow Hunting, North American Whitetail, Fur-Fish-Game, Midwest Outdoors, Big River Outdoors, Midwest Bowhunter and several other regional and state publications. I write the " Deer Management and Nutrition & Deer Research column in Rublines magazine, and the " Deer Biology & Behavior" column in Whitetail Fanatic magazine. I have also written articles for the Christian Bowhunters of America Speaking Out magazine, and the Christian Deer Hunters Association newsletter. I also author the " T.R.' s Tips" forum at www.HuntingNet.com.

I thank Jesus for dying on the cross for me, for coming into my life, for saving my life, for returning my speech and sight, for saving my marriage, and especially for saving my soul. Jesus is my Lord, and my Savior.


T.R.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

TR,

Thats one heck of a story and it sounds like you have finally found your place. So many people take their lives for granted and forget just how fast things can change.

You sound like a remarkable person and I wish you much joy and happiness.

Michael

Great post........
 

Your post is well taken. It is the beauty of the outdoors that makes me feel one with the Good Creator & it is like much needed medicine for my soul to simply be in the woods at any time. I find that as I get older (still only 26), I become more thankful for my blessings, and nothing means more to me than the ability to hunt with family & close friends in the wonderful Southern outdoors. I appreciate your post & it made me see that I need to be more disciplined about showing the Lord my appreciation after each hunt, no matter the outcome. Often times, I have a word with the Good Creator while in the stand & I feel a great sense of well being as a result. How can a man be blessed like I am.....for my family' s small farm in rural North Florida is literally a dream come true. God gives me the opportunity several times each fall to witness one of His most splendid creations in its natural environment - the majestic & elusive Southern whitetail. A man could ask for no more.

Perhaps Steve Bartkowski said it best....
" It is my opinion that no human being appreciates the handiwork of our Creator more than the outdoorsman. The beauty, majesty, and serenity all work within me giving me a keen sense of wonder of how it all works together so marvelously well....then, I am reminded that God does all things in this manner."

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

That' s a heck of a story! Sounds like you found God' s plan for your life.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

How can anyone stand in the mountains on a cold clear morning and say there is no God?

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

:)I agree with W. Dale

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I must admit that I do say a little prayer in thanks for any animal I harvest, be it a large Elk or a tiny rabbit I thank the Lord for allowing me to harvest one of his creatures. :)

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

Thanks LadyF. I dont feel so alone now.
Rick

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I definitely Pray and Thank the Lord, Before and After every hunt.

RE: WHO ELSE SAYS A PRAYER?
 

I must be the only atheist here.

I don' t pray because I don' t believe there is a god.