Prayer can unite.
Last Sunday night, the world was treated to Super Bowl 51. The entire state of Georgia was atwitter with the possibility of the Falcons winning a Super Bowl. Schools all over the state had Falcons Day. Offices across the state encouraged their employees to dress in Falcons garb. There were even churches who got in on Falcons fever.
The first half was fantastic as the Falcons looked unstoppable. But, alas, the Patriots made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history and walked away victorious.
I always enjoy the pomp and circumstance of a game that is so uniquely American. Ever since my Daddy and I watched the Chicago Bears do the Super Bowl Shuffle in 1985, I have been hooked. I rarely care about which team wins. It’s just usually fun to watch. Even the commercials are entertaining.
This year was a little different for me. I really wanted Georgia’s home team to win and they didn’t. I was also disappointed by, for the most part, with the less than entertaining commercials. But, there were other events last Sunday, that I will always remember.
When former President Bush and his wife Barbara, came onto the field in a wheelchair and a golf cart and the crowd went wild, I was proud to be an American. When President Bush tossed the coin and the crowd went wild, I fought back tears and when members of both teams shook the former president’s hand, I could feel unity, even though the teams were opponents.
I saw every member of each team stand for the National Anthem and I could feel unity.
At half-time, when Lady Gaga took the stage, I held my breath. Honestly, I have never been a very big fan of hers and lately, members of Hollywood have made it their business to preach their views rather than to entertain. Gaga had a choice to make and she could have gone either way. Would she use the biggest moment of her life to unite or divide?
She began with classic patriotic songs, “Good Bless America” and “This Land is Your Land,” and then actually recited part of the Pledge of Allegiance including the lately controversial part, one nation under God, and then she entertained. She did a few things that showed her idea of the importance of inclusion, but she made a choice to unite and not divide.
I could feel unity.
As divided as we have been, there have been many prayer warriors, praying for peace and unity. I feel that I was blessed to get a glimpse of the fruition of some of those prayers on Super Bowl Sunday. Although the game did not turn out as I had hoped, there are aspects of that game that will stay as close to my heart and as alive in my memory as the Super Bowl Shuffle has for all of those years.
May we all remember that we are one nation under God and may we all strive to stay that way. The Super Bowl reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy