Circle Of Prayer

Riding with Christ — Motorcyclists mesh spirituality with their passion for ...

Members of the S.O.S. Riders join hands for a prayer circle at their regular meeting Monday, July 11, 2011, at Gander Mountain, 6801 120th Ave. in Kenosha. The S.O.S. Riders are the Racine/Kenosha chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. They get together for rides, church visits and monthly meetings, which conclude with a prayer circle where members take turns praying out loud for their friends, family and more. / Lindsay Fiori lindsay.fiori@journaltimes.com Buy this photo at jtreprints.com

What: Monthly meeting of the S.O.S. Riders, the Racine/Kenosha chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

When: Second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings last about an hour. Next meeting is Aug. 8.

Where: Gander Lodge conference room inside Gander Mountain, 6801 120th Ave. in Kenosha near Highway 50 and Interstate 94.

More: Visit www.cmancr3.org/wi/sosriders to learn more about the group, see their calendar of group rides and other events, or sign up for email notices.

KENOSHA — Twenty men and women stood in a circle last Monday, heads bowed, eyes closed.

They held hands. Then one by one they spoke out loud, lifting prayers for friends, family and a better world up to the Lord.

“We call down miracles in each of these situations God,” prayed one. “Father we just give thanks and speak a blessing on everyone gathered here tonight.”

After the prayer concluded, the men and women disbanded, hopping on their motorcycles and driving off with their black leather biker vests blowing in the wind. They’ll be back in another month, for another prayer.

They are the S.O.S. Riders, the Racine/Kenosha chapter of the international Christian Motorcyclists Association, or CMA. The group meets — and prays — monthly at regular meetings like the one held last Monday. They also get together for rides, bike blessings and church visits and they volunteer at biking events and spread God’s word to other motorcyclists who might not have heard their message or that might not be approached by more traditional ministering groups.

“What other people are going to talk to them?” asked S.O.S. Riders member Jim Pucci. “Everybody needs to hear God’s message.”

The S.O.S. Riders and CMA focus on ministering to motorcyclists because members are already part of that community. It’s not because motorcyclists are less likely to be religious, though the group acknowledges there is a stereotype that bikers are rough, mean and less than God-fearing, Pucci said.

July 22, 2011 « Circle of Hope Daily Prayer

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