Blogs - Chief of Pray Blog

I’m in Chicago and the very big news here is; the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL play-off series. We traditionally don’t have very good sports teams in our town and after 49 years of losing hockey games, we’re enjoying the taste of victory. I’m a very loyal fair-weather fan. I do not pay attention to sports until it’s the final minutes of a very close game where it’s a significant win.

But when I do pay attention, I get nervous, excited and I start to pray. I fully understand that it doesn’t work that way. God doesn’t grant wishes like a good fairy, give presents like Santa Claus or dole out favors like a Chicago politician. Yet, I still found myself saying over and over last night, “please God, let them score just one more goal.” And how do I think that would work? Aren’t there just as many praying fans in Philadelphia? Wouldn’t God give more weight to the prayers coming from the Mom of the Flyer’s goalie than mine? So why do I pray during sporting events?

After my intense prayer session at the flat screen last night, I went looking for an explanation for my behavior. I started with one of my favorite authors, Rabbi Harold Kushner. He’s the one who wrote the New York Times best selling book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  Kushner dismisses the view “God always answers prayers but sometimes the answer is No.”  He logically concludes that ball games are won by a combination of skill and luck without God arranging the outcome. As for how prayer works; Rabbi Kushner says that prayer is the experience of being in the presence of God and we are changed by having had that experience.

I have an ongoing conversation with God. We never hang-up. If I’m busy, God knows to multi-task, I’ll be back shortly. Maybe I’m taking it too far or too literally. I truly do feel that I am never alone and God is always with me. It’s a comfort. I bring to God’s presence to a deeper level of conversation when I take the time each day to pray with fixed prayers. My prayers are no longer about finding a closer parking spot or even reaching 50 more friends on the Prayables Facebook page. I offer prayers of gratitude, praise and peace. I pray that I will be worthy and resilient to take whatever comes my way and do the very best I can.

Divine Timing

I am so impatient,
sighing and stomping around my room.
I've been praying for a full year now.

Do You give points for faithfulness?
My numbers surely must impress.

What can I do to rush Your answer:
Light a candle?
Or should I fast?

Would you please give me a sign?
Nothing big, I'll know it's You.

OK- new prayer.
I get it.
"You who supply my every breath,
I beg You- teach me patience,
help me recognize a prayer answered."

You hear me.
I'll wait and watch.
Your timing is always perfect.

-Heidi Haller