INSPIRASUNS

Last night during the Monday night NFL football game a young 24-year-old safety for the Buffalo Bills, Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field suffering cardiac arrest after a hit on one of the Bengals players. The medical teams acted quickly, performing CPR and restoring his heartbeat, working on him, on the field. He was taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and reports this morning confirm he is still in critical condition. The game postponed until further notice.

What did we see in the moments after this tragedy and what can we take from it. First, the coming together in prayer. Both teams on their knees in the center of the field in prayer together. The commentators somber saying, “all you can do is pray for this young man right now”. Social media filled with comments asking for prayer, some saying how scary it was to watch, others saying we are all Bill’s fans tonight.

As I mentioned just yesterday in this little blog, time on this earth is short, and tragedies like this where the life of a 24-year-old is in the hands of EMS in the middle of a football field, bring this even more into perspective. A nation prayed last night, almost in unison. It was almost instinctive, and do I dare say, may have even been done by some who don’t usually pray? What I know is, Father was in the midst of this situation last night, and it brought people together in prayer. My hope is, not only for the recovery of this young man but that his teammates, his family, and the nation continue to lean into Father in prayer. As a nation, we need to be in prayer daily, and not just for this young athlete.

Another lesson to take away from the events of last night. Fortunately, there were medical teams right there who could perform CPR. What if this had occurred somewhere else? Would he be in this same place this morning, perhaps, but potentially not? This is an opportunity to learn something new, and take a CPR course. Your local Red Cross or county agencies usually offer these courses regularly. It’s not difficult to learn and it is a very valuable skill to have in case you need to help someone.

My friends, we always come together in tragedy. God’s children are instinctively caring, especially when they see another of his children in danger. May we take a moment to not only prayer for the life of this young man, but prayer for each other. May we each day, extend that caring to each other, and may it not take a tragedy to do so.

Lord, we lift Damar and his family in prayer today. Please, Father, be with the medical teams, and provide them with the knowledge and skills as they help his body heal. Be with his family and provide them strength and comfort as they wait. Lord, we ask that you be with your children across this nation, bring us Lord closer together and most importantly closer to you, knowing that you, and you alone can heal. All this we ask in your name Father. Amen.