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What's New - Answers to Your Questions
How are Blessing of the Bikes conducted?
December 10, 2008
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For More Information:
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| Contact: |
Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) |
| Phone: |
870-389-6196 |
| E-Mail: |
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| Web: |
http://www.cmausa.org |
During the first nine months of 1998, thirteen local bikers died as a result of motorcycle accidents. We were approached and asked “can’t we do something?” Of course the only thing we could possibly do was seek God’s help. Out of that conversation came our first (local) Blessing of the Bikes.
Since no one in our chapter had ever been involved in a Blessing of the Bikes, we tried to find out how to do one “the right way” but everywhere we turned it seemed no one was able to help us. So we turned to the one person we knew we could count on – Jesus. In other words, we prayed and just let what ever happened, happen.
Now, nine years later, we still do the Blessing of the Bikes the same way we did that first one, except the annual event has grown and we now have people stop and ask us to bless their motorcycles because they missed the “Blessing.” And by the way, the next year we went from thirteen deaths to one -- and that one was a strong Christian who stepped from this life into life eternal in Heaven.
The method is fairly simple. Remember that the blessing God wants to bestow is on the Biker not the bike. As such, we focus on the blessings that are available to the person. Yes, God is interested in protecting and guiding us. But the biggest blessing available from God is the Blessing of Salvation available only through Jesus Christ.
We start by coming together collectively and the speaker delivers a short message, always leading up to giving people the opportunity to receive the greatest blessing ever offered to man. And it is presented as just that – the opportunity to be eternally blessed by accepting the gift of Salvation through Jesus.
We talk for a few minutes about God’s desire to bless and protect His children. We sometimes give examples of the way God has protected us in the past and we remind folks that what He has done in the past, He is willing to do today. Then we pray a corporate prayer asking for God’s blessing, protection and guidance as we ride and in our lives.
After we pray collectively, we ask people to go to their motorcycles and we send out teams of two or more CMA members to pray individually with each person.
Don’t rush it. Many decisions have been made for Jesus because someone was willing to listen for a few minutes. Once the needs of the person are known, more specific prayers can be prayed.
Be willing to let God take the lead. We don’t know what God wants to do in the life of the person who has asked for prayer. Listen to the biker’s requests and let God guide your prayer.
Be bold. Keep in mind that the person you are praying for has asked for prayer. That is why they are there – they know you are going to pray for them and they are asking you to do that. Be specific and bold in your requests to God for them.
Remember, Jesus is the only difference in you and the biker you are praying for. Never forget that! Be gracious and loving. Jesus did not condemn the biker; we have no right to condemn him/her, either.
Always ask the biker if he or she has a personal relationship with Jesus. Try to avoid “churchy” words – they mean different things to different people. But it is difficult to misunderstand the phrase ‘personal relationship with Jesus.’ Never miss an opportunity to give the biker a chance to give ownership of his or her life to Jesus.
After we pray with the biker, we offer them the little CMA “I’ve been Blessed” sticker and the CMA Biker Blessing handout.
Many a tear has been shed and many a heart touched through the Blessings of the Bikes. God wants to change lives and the Bike Blessings have been a great avenue through which He is doing that. Funny thing about God, give Him a chance and He will change lives, even yours.
For more information please contact the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Visit their web site (link above) or call 870-389-6196. The Christian Motorcyclists Association is interdenominational and evangelistic in nature, dedicated to changing the world one heart at a time, reaching out primarily, but not exclusively, to the motorcycle community.
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