Jeremy Lin Says He'll Start Praying for Fans, Share Prayer Requests
Almost one year after Jeremy Lin started an online prayer group where he's received spiritual support from fans, the new North Carolina Hornets point guard is using the platform to allow fans to pray for each other.
"You guys have been such an awesome prayer support group. Many of you have sent in your own prayer requests," Lin emailed his prayer group in a message titled "Jeremy Lin Prayer Requests 11."
"So I thought it would be cool to have you guys pray for one another too. The next prayer request email will be a collection of prayer requests sent in by YOU guys!"
The Hornets' guard asked those who are interested to email their requests by Sept. 22, and assured that no name or personal information would be included when he distributed their prayers. Last year, Lin introduced the digital prayer group to fans who receive his prayer requests in an email format every couple of months.
While Lin is starting to shift the focus of the requests off of him to those on the email list, he apologetically added that it would be impossile for him to respond to everyone's prayer requests.
"I appreciate each of you but please keep in mind I cannot respond to each of your individually submitted prayer requests," Lin wrote in the email.
Lin said he decided to start his prayer group after a number of his supporters inquired about ways they could intercede on his behalf.
"The journey I've been on has had its ups and downs and I appreciate all of your support throughout. Some of you have asked how to pray for me so I decided to start a prayer group where I can send out requests for those that want to pray and support," Lin wrote on his website last year.
"Please feel free to share with others you think would be interested. So much of what happens is out of our control, but prayer has been a place I have consistently found peace with God."
Now that he's successfully transitioned from a tumultuous season with the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Hornets, Lin is focusing on the season to come. In his 11th prayer request email, the NBA player asked fans to continue to prayer for a smooth transition in his move to Charlotte, North Carolina, and that he would have a good rapport with his new teammates and coaches.
He also asked fans to pray for his brother's relationship with God as he begins a professional basketball career in Taiwan, and for his own personal relationship with God to flourish.
"I'm hoping that I can really strengthen my prayer life and take it to another level," Lin wrote in the email. "Prayer is an act of submission and humility, and I want to have random prayers throughout the day be more instinctual."
When he was a rookie for the Lakers, Lin spoke about his fears and spiritual growth, reflecting on how much he's progressed in his spiritual life and trusting in God.
"When I was a rookie, I put myself through mental torment. I can't do that anymore," Lin said in a Los Angeles Times report. "So now I'm just growing more as a person spiritually and just learning to surrender it all. It gives me a lot of peace, man."