Andrew Ward’s pre-run prayers set the tone for his in-arena performance.

I don’t have a specific prayer that I sit back there and say every time, but I’m praying, whether it’s for $10 or the 10^th round at the NFR.

I feel a lot of pressure being a high-teamer. If I can’t think and see straight, I will see better after I pray. What I don’t think people know about me is that I want to finish the roping off whether it’s for $300 or $65,000. I can be around the house, for what other people don’t think is a big deal—I get nervous. I just try to get in a peaceful spot and do my job. Those are higher stress, but there’s pressure everywhere for me.

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I get nervous before I rope, even if people think I look like I’m a statue. But the truth is, I’m usually back there praying and remembering to breathe and talk to God. I get calm, thanks to those conversations with the Father.

In my prayers, I say a lot of the same words, usually, “Help me, help me, help me.” Sometimes I’m thankful, but always I say whatever is on my heart. If I’m panicked, I ask the Father for help. It calms me, and I get peace from it. People say I look intense before I rope, but the truth is this is our livelihood and it’s a lot on the line, and I put myself in stressful situations because of that.

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I rely on my faith behind the box more than people know. I get to a peaceful spot, and then I can focus. I ask for whatever is on my heart, and sometimes—like at the 10^th round of the Finals and on the last steer of the Lone Star Shootout—all I’m asking is to finish the roping. Maybe I don’t have the best attitude, so I ask God to let me ride out head held high, no matter what happens in the arena. TRJ