Monday Night Football is a significant staple for many people these days. And like many others, my family was watching when Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. As I sat there watching with my kids, I explained to them that we were looking for the “thumbs up” that often comes when a serious injury takes place or when the stretcher gets brought onto the field. As time went on the “thumbs up” never came, and you could see in the faces of his teammates, and hear in the voices of the announcers, that this was more serious than any sports injury I have watched take place.
Players, announcers, social media, and a nation could have responded to this situation in many different ways, but what took place next has been incredibly encouraging to me. As our family kept watching, we saw players drop to their knees in prayer and listened to announcers reminding us that this is just a game and encouraging everyone to pray. My Twitter feed was filled with prayers and encouragement for Damar.
We live in a day and age where we are constantly bombarded with negativity. We frequently hear how we are a nation divided and wandering. And yet, on that Monday night, a nation witnessed Damar collapse, and instinctively, something deep within us knew we needed to reach out and seek a presence greater than ourselves. A nation’s first reaction was to call out in prayer.
I have heard people say it’s common that “when the plane goes down, prayers rise up.” I get that. In crisis there is something deep within us that calls out to our Creator. That instinctive response is not to be taken for granted; instead it’s to be explored and developed.
When faced with death, crisis, or just when life feels out of control, we can naturally fall to our knees and call out for God’s protection and wisdom. And we are able to approach the Almighty God because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Yay! God! Yet, God is available not just in crisis: He longs to be in a daily relationship with us. Through the highs and the lows, in the crises, and in the mundane, the Almighty God longs to be in relationships with us.
Since Damar Hamlin collapsed, I have been encouraged to witness so many turn to prayer and so many praise God as Damar recovers. I don’t want us to miss the opportunity to encourage each other to deepen our relationship with God and to grow in the peace and joy that comes as we seek Him in every aspect of our lives.
“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).
Peace,
Nick
Players, announcers, social media, and a nation could have responded to this situation in many different ways, but what took place next has been incredibly encouraging to me. As our family kept watching, we saw players drop to their knees in prayer and listened to announcers reminding us that this is just a game and encouraging everyone to pray. My Twitter feed was filled with prayers and encouragement for Damar.
We live in a day and age where we are constantly bombarded with negativity. We frequently hear how we are a nation divided and wandering. And yet, on that Monday night, a nation witnessed Damar collapse, and instinctively, something deep within us knew we needed to reach out and seek a presence greater than ourselves. A nation’s first reaction was to call out in prayer.
I have heard people say it’s common that “when the plane goes down, prayers rise up.” I get that. In crisis there is something deep within us that calls out to our Creator. That instinctive response is not to be taken for granted; instead it’s to be explored and developed.
When faced with death, crisis, or just when life feels out of control, we can naturally fall to our knees and call out for God’s protection and wisdom. And we are able to approach the Almighty God because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Yay! God! Yet, God is available not just in crisis: He longs to be in a daily relationship with us. Through the highs and the lows, in the crises, and in the mundane, the Almighty God longs to be in relationships with us.
Since Damar Hamlin collapsed, I have been encouraged to witness so many turn to prayer and so many praise God as Damar recovers. I don’t want us to miss the opportunity to encourage each other to deepen our relationship with God and to grow in the peace and joy that comes as we seek Him in every aspect of our lives.
“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).
Peace,
Nick