Though the left is waging war on public prayer, with the ACLU and SPLC doing their best to sue and badger those that show their Christian faith in public, prayer is making a comeback. Surprisingly, it’s doing so thanks to the near-death of NFL player Damar Hamlin, who collapsed on field and was then hospitalized after an unlucky hit to the chest. Breitbart, reporting on how his injury brought prayer back into the public conversation, said:
When medical personnel rushed onto the field to save Damar Hamlin’s life after the Buffalo Bills’ defensive back collapsed during a game last month in Cincinnati, many people witnessing the horrifying scene did the only thing they could to help. They prayed.
Players and coaches from both teams took a knee, held hands and through tear-filled eyes called on God to heal their fallen brother.
Fans inside the stadium and millions of viewers watching at home did the same, sharing and posting their prayers on social media. In a moment of fear and desperation, prayer took center stage in the NFL.
Over the next few days, #PrayForDamar was trending. Hamlin’s family and friends requested more prayers while he was hospitalized and after his release. Faith was back at the forefront in the NFL for the first time since praying on the field was referred to as Tebowing.
And Hamlin’s injury did indeed get people talking about prayer again. Hamlin himself, for example, recently said that his new purpose is in part to encourage others to pray, saying:
“Every day I am amazed that my experiences could encourage so many others across the country and across the world. Encourage to pray, encourage to spread love and encourage keep fighting no matter the circumstances. Sudden cardiac arrest was nothing I would have ever chosen to have been a part of my story, but that’s because sometimes our own visions are too small even when we think we’re seeing a bigger picture. My vision was about playing in the NFL and being the best player I could be. But God’s plan was to have a purpose greater than any game in this world. I have a long journey ahead, a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones. But it’s a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose.”
Similarly, we on the American Tribune noted that QB Josh Allen had his faith strengthened by the Hamlin incident, reporting that:
As the Buffalo Bills prepare to play against the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs, Quarterback Josh Allen is planning to go into the game as a changed man. Following Damar Hamlin‘s shocking injury, Allen says that he has experienced a total shift in beliefs as he regathers himself to pursue a Super Bowl ring.
During an interview on ESPN’s Kyle Brandt’s Basement, Allen spoke about how much Hamlin’s injury brought him closer to God and strengthened his faith along with that of his teammates. Allen said that before the incident he was unsure of his beliefs, but that is no longer the case now
Also, Philadelphia Eagles chaplain Ted Winsley told The Associated Press that the Hamlin injury got people thinking about and talking about prayer again because it smacked them in the face, saying “They were impacted because they were seeing themselves. They were smacked in the face with the reality of what this is. Damar was in that situation but that could be me. They were feeling for him but it reminded them that this is life or death. … And then it also causes you to come to grips with the fact that there is someone greater than me I have to trust in.”
Similarly, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who has worked hard to make the Chiefs a Christ-centered organization, said “We’re very happy to see Damar doing well and it was very comforting to see a huge outpouring of support for him and people turning to God in what was a very scary time. One of the things I’ve enjoyed about being associated with the NFL is all the locker rooms I’ve been in, God is always there. Players pray before the game, they pray after the game. So that wasn’t unusual in that regard but I think you saw more fans, more media recognizing the importance of prayer in a situation like that.”
So prayer is back, and it came back in a very surprising way.
By: Will Tanner. Follow me on Twitter @Will_Tanner_1
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