NBA All-Star Partners with Growing Ministry to Benefit Marriage

HOUSTON - Feb. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- In the same year the United States will host the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Paradisus Dei welcomed the opportunity to partner with Rashard Lewis on the first-ever Put Up A Prayer (http://www.putupaprayer.com).  This national, NBA-style, three-point contest challenges people to participate, who then pass the challenge on to others.  Put Up A Prayer officially began on January 31, 2015 when the two-time All-Star and NBA Champion Lewis issued his own challenge to the nation.

"If you think you can beat me, I will give away $10,000 to the winner.  So get out there, shoot some 3s, and challenge your friends," Lewis said to launch the event.

Put Up A Prayer (http://www.putupaprayer.com) is open to anyone in the United States and encourages participation with a variety of roles.  Participants can choose to be a 3-Point Shooter, a Team Captain, a fan, or simply “put up” their own prayer.  Team Captains play an especially critical role by recruiting fans, raising $20 per shot attempt, and spreading the word about the competition.  All ages are welcome to participate, opening this event to families, sports groups, companies, and other organizations.

Sixteen finalists and their Team Captains receive an all-expenses-paid trip to go head-to-head in a live, NBA-style three-point shootout against Rashard Lewis this summer.  The winner takes home $10,000.

“Life is more than basketball.  My family is everything to me,” said Lewis in his video challenging the nation.  Proceeds from Put Up A Prayer benefit The Choice Wine – 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage, a groundbreaking, new program from Paradisus Dei to help couples find abundant joy in their marriages.

Pope Francis said on April 2, 2014, of marriage, “The plan inherent in marriage is truly wonderful…Married Life is beautiful, and must be protected.”

Mark Hartfiel, a high school teammate of Lewis’, participated in The Choice Wine and helped create the contest. “I’m donating $100 to a ministry dedicated to helping families find joy.  It’s personally helped me become a better husband and a better father,” said Hartfiel.

The contest website, PutUpAPrayer.com, is expected to be a draw in and of itself.  This innovative site creates a virtual contest community for everyone to participate in.  Teams register online, create custom profiles, post videos of their 3-point shooting skills and scores, and share their experience via social media.  Fans donate directly online, and everyone can watch the leaderboard.  Complete rules, instructions, and other contest information can be found online, making PutUpAPrayer.com the place to follow all the action. Registration began January 31, 2015.

Paradisus Dei is excited to partner with Rashard Lewis on Put Up A Prayer, to encourage prayer and support for marriage and families in such a fun, healthy and innovative way.

About Paradisus Dei:  Founded in 2001, Paradisus Dei helps families discover the superabundance of God within marriage and family life.  Current programming serves couples, men and youth in 41 states and five countries. Integrating the teachings of the faith with findings of modern science and the wisdom of the saints, these programs have been independently verified to be profoundly life transforming.  Our goal is to encounter people wherever they are on their spiritual journey and help take them further.  Paradisus Dei is an independent, lay Catholic ministry dedicated to marriage and family life. For more information, please visit www.paradisusdei.org.