This last week Buffalo Bills NFL player Damar Hamlin fell over in cardiac arrest just five minutes into the game. It sent shock waves through the players and all who watched it live. The look of stunned horror could be seen everywhere.
Then something amazing happened. Almost immediately there was a call for prayer! With the ambulance still on the field, the entire Buffalo Bills team knelt in a circle to pray for him (click here to view). The audience in the stands applauded in agreement. What a contrast from the “Take a Knee League” to suddenly crying out to God. Crisis has a way of throwing people, who may not even believe in God, to a place of kneeling in petition to Him.
Here were some of the liberal media headlines that followed:
· Athletes and Fans Pray for Damar Hamlin After On-Field Collapse (New York Times)
· Prayers Pour in for Bills Safety Damar Hamlin after Collapsing on the Field (Fox News)
· Bears offer prayers to Bills’ Damar Hamlin after he collapses on field (CBS News)
For those who have not followed this story, the most recent reports are that Mr. Hamlin is improving, neurologically intact but still in critical condition. I pray that is true. We certainly continue to lift him up along with his family.
The conflicting information concerning the “why” this happened is disturbing. So is the absolute unwillingness by the NFL/media and more to allow discussion if the COVID vax was a contributor. Hamlin received the vax and had a booster Dec. 26. Obviously with such a horrific issue, you would think that the league would want to investigate anything that might have been a factor. But they—and the media—have made it clear they are unwilling to even entertain the possibility that it was the vax. That is outrageous considering sudden deaths were the #1 cause of death in 2021 for those under 65! With that shocking development we must look at anything that was introduced into our society that year that could cause this bizarre escalation. The only immediate answer is the vax. Click here for that data.
This week’s prayer is regarding the two issues that have come to the forefront:
1. This tragic event has created an amazing surge in prayer uniting our nation to seek God. It has put God back into the forefront as the only One who is able to help in such times of crisis. Let’s pray into that so it continues.
2. We also pray for those who have taken the COVID vaccine or boosters. There are a growing number of athletes who have expressed concern—even terror—that they could be next in the escalation of sudden deaths. However, God is still our healer.
Father we thank you that You ARE Jehovah Rapha our healer! That You came to seek and to save (SOZO) that which was lost. (According to Strong’s the definition SOZO means: to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):–heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole!).
The very work of the Cross released Your SOZO power and complete work of salvation for souls and healing for bodies! We declare Your SOZO power to save and to heal our nation.
We pray for Damar Hamlin—for his resurrection and healing spirit, soul and body. We pray that You would raise him up off his sick bed and restore him to health. May this be the beginning of revival in our sports teams for both the athletes, trainers and audience. May it also be the removal of those who have turned sports into an anti-America platform.
We also pray for the entire NFL and athletes everywhere. Some athletes are now in fear questioning what is causing the sudden death syndrome and if they will be next. Father we pray that they would turn to You in this time of need. Father we also pray for anyone who took the vax who has already experienced negative reactions and for those who are concerned of possible consequences in the future. Nothing is too difficult for YOU. We pray that you would reverse and remove any negative elements that may have been in the vax, and which is now in bodies, and we pray mercy as some were forced to take it or lose their jobs. Others took it trusting that it was protection from COVID. No matter the reason, we ask that You would pour out healing on our nation. Just as they looked to the serpent on the pole in the days of Moses to stop the plague. May people look to You and the Cross to see this sudden death plague and other reactions stopped.
Father we pray that any insidious information regarding what is in the vaccines, the info regarding adverse reactions and even deaths would no longer be covered up and that the truth would be revealed. We pray that this poison, now approved for children even under five, would be stopped and that the doctors who have tried to share the results of tests that reveal the issues, would no longer be silenced.
We continue to pray that liars and their lies will be exposed and for truth, which has fallen in the street, to be once again honored and prized. May the fear of the Lord return and with it wisdom and common sense. May the eyes of our understanding be enlightened to know the hope of our calling and for deception to be revealed and removed. We declare that the door of deception that has been open be shut now and for Your healing power (SOZO) to flood our nation in revival and transformation that will make the Jesus’ movement seem like something small.
May this revival of prayer continue. May it not be a fleeting moment in crisis, but an actual change of hearts and transformation of lives as they see the miracle working power of God still active and able for You hear the prayer of those who call out to You. May prayer in our sports events and other public events and meetings become the norm again along with healing as we lay hands on the sick and see them recover!
Luke 19:10, Ps 41:3, Jer 32:17, John 16:13. Is 59:14, Prov 9:10, Eph 1:18, Jas 5:16