And just like that… football players and coaches were kneeling on the field on live TV. They were praying for the Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin as he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Personally, I was shocked as I watched the Buffalo Bills forming a circle and praying. I felt tears begin to form in my eyes, and I felt hope in my heart. Hope for Damar but more importantly that we might be returning to a praying nation. The other teams, the NFL and millions of people watching stopped to pray for Damar. Even millions of people who didn’t even know who Damar Hamlin was (like me) but heard about the tragedy, joined in to pray. Faith in a God who heals was truly on display.
Then came ESPN’s broadcast. I stunned and delighted when ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky felt led to pray during his national broadcast. Listen to Dan Orlovsky pray. Dan’s instinct kicked in and he turned to the one who can save. His prayer has now gone viral. How did the media react to Dan’s prayer? Even MSN wrote an article entitled “Dan Orlovsky Praised After ‘Beautiful’ Prayer for Damar Hamlin Live on Air.” Despite Christianity being routinely mocked for decades, we saw (and felt) a collective moment in time that showed Christianity still maintains an incredible cultural influence in America. My mind often turns to the image of Tim Tebow praying on the field, where he drew criticism from fellow NFL players. Tim’s praying posture formed a new term, “tebowing”. Fortunately, Dan was praised for lifting up Damar in prayer rather than being condemned. Personally, I felt Dan Orlovsky’s prayer was a bold heartfelt petition to God for healing.
When there is literally nothing you can do about a crisis, we must turn to God to pray. It is God, who is all knowing and all powerful, that we should turn to.
“When unexpected, unexplained tragedy strikes, ordinary citizens and influential people across America’s institutions alike turn to prayer.” Nation Unites in Prayer for Damar after On-Field Collapse.
Prayer is something we should do all the time, intermittently throughout the day. We shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis to pray.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When tragedy strikes, Christians know to whom we pray. It is the God who created all things and has unlimited power and resources at His disposal. We know God is listening when we pray. Depending on the prayer, God may say “yes”, or He may say “no” or “not right now”. God answers prayers of His children.
Many secular sites are calling Damar’s release from the hospital as “a modern-day miracle”.
Being released from the hospital is being called “what seemed unfathomable just days ago”.
Our God is the God of miracles and the unfathomable. Faith in God still matters. In a world plagued by politics, animosity, and insanity, we are reminded to put God first.
If you are not a follower of Christ, I would encourage you to pray and accept Jesus in your heart, turn from sin, and follow Him. Please read.
God has heard millions of prayers for Damar’s healing. Although Damar has now been released from the hospital, please continue to pray that he makes a full and extraordinary recovery – I have a feeling he will.