Reliance on Prayer

Jeremy Lin has already captured headlines and the admiration of basketball fans nationwide. In just a few weeks he has come from the bench to the forefront of the winning spree of the New York Knicks and curiousity about him as a person is mounting him to the level of "rock star". Who is Jeremy Lin and what makes him tick? Surprisingly enough, or not so surprisingly, this 6'3" Harvard graduate of a Taiwanese-American family of three boys from California, attributes his ability as a gift from God and offers thanks to God publicly at every opportunity. Shades of Tim Tebow. How refreshing to have these witnesses, so successful in their sport, unafraid to sport their faith in front of the cameras. Such witness has to stop and make people think...especially young admirers, who will, we hope, emulate the faith component of their heroes' athletic ability as well as their skills.
At Central Catholic, we have such faithfilled players. One, a leader on the boys' varisty basketball team, had a very sore hand for a few days before a recent game and wasn't sure about playing that night. He did play, and had a fabulous game, with obviously no pain. When I asked what happened, he told me he prayed and that God said, "Just go out there and play." This young man, for three years has led the team in prayer before every game.
A young JV hockey goalie, of great talent, already being sought by colleges, acknowledges that his ability comes from God and is earnestly pursuing his confirmation preparation in order to get closer to God.
For those of us with doubts about God's care or the power of prayer, may we learn from the young that indeed, reliance on prayer is still the best way to play the game.
Bro. Rene