Like many of you, I was watching last Monday night as a young athlete in excellent physical condition made a tackle, stood up, then crumpled to the ground and stopped breathing. Heroic measures were taken to resuscitate him before transporting him to an area hospital. While this was going on, his teammates knelt on the field together and offered a prayer. No one criticized them for doing so.

The broadcast continued for another hour, waiting to see whether or not the game would resume. It was eventually decided that it would be suspended indefinitely. During the time, every broadcaster that spoke mentioned the need to pray for Damar Hamlin. No one criticized them for doing so.

The next day, on NFL Live, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky mentioned everyone talking about praying for Damar. He said he was going to do so right then and there. He bowed his head and offered a prayer on the air. You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Vs59RDITc

I applaud Mr. Orlovsky for not being shy about his faith or the expression of it. I don’t know how much criticism he received for doing so, but I don’t think it mattered to him.

I’ve noticed over the years that news commentators will often mention “thoughts and prayers” at a time of crisis or tragedy. That is acceptable. But what about in “normal” times, when things seem to be going well?

My wife mentioned the irony that it was okay for players to pray when someone was injured, but Tim Tebow was constantly criticized for praying at all times during his career. He prayed on good days. He prayed on bad days. He prayed on every day in between. It is part of his life, his relationship with his Lord. And the criticism was non-stop.

I thought of Paul’s admonition in his letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 4:4–7 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In EVERYTHING. Prayer is not just for the bad times. Society seems to tolerate prayer when there is a crisis, but sees no need for it when things are rolling along as they should. But our decision to pray should not be based upon what the world says. We pray because it is our right, our privilege, to speak to the one in control of all things and be assured that He listens to us because of our faith in Jesus.

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

He is listening. Always. The one who came to earth to pay for our sins and give us salvation invites us to talk to Him about all things. Whether the world approves or not, this is our right. This is how we exist as followers of Jesus. Speaking to Him through our prayers and listening to Him through His Word. It empowers us in our daily efforts to live for Him.

And yes, I have prayed for Damar as well.