When life is going along relatively well, we don’t seem to have much time for God. Praying and “getting right with God” are the last things on their minds. But it is our loss if we regard prayer merely as a spiritual fire extinguisher labeled “for emergency use only.” Prayer is also for good times. It is a time and way to grow in your relationship with God.
Here are two examples of people who were grateful for God’s presence in their lives.
In 1951, comedian Red Skelton and a group of friends flew to Europe, where Skelton was scheduled to perform.
As they were flying over the Alps, three of the plane’s engines failed. The situation looked grave, and the passengers began to pray.
As the plane lost altitude and moved closer to the ominous peaks, Skelton went into one of his classic comic routines to distract the passengers. At almost the last moment, the pilot spotted a field and made a perfect landing. Skelton broke the relieved silence by saying, “Now ladies and gentlemen, you may return to all the evil habits you gave up 20 minutes ago.
Skelton knew that many people turn to prayer only when some dire emergency comes along and they see no way out of it except through divine intervention.
Babe Ruth is one of the most famous names in American sports.
A memorable time in Ruth’s personal life was a cold December night in 1946. He explained why in an article in “Guideposts” magazine. He wrote: “(Even though) I drifted away from the church, I did have my own altar — a big window in my New York apartment overlooking the city lights. Often, I would kneel before that window and say my prayers. I would feel quite humble then. I’d ask God to help me … and pray that I’d measure up to what he expected of me.”
On this cold December night, however, Ruth was in a New York hospital, seriously ill. His closest friend Paul Carey was at his side. After a while Carey turned to him and said, “Babe, they’re going to operate in the morning. Don’t you think you should see a priest?”
Ruth saw the concern in Paul’s eyes, and for the first time in his life he realized that death could strike him out. So, he said to Carey, “Yes, Paul, I’d appreciate you calling a priest.”
That night Babe Ruth spent a long time talking to Jesus with the priest’s help. When he finished, he made a full and humble confession.
After the priest left, the Babe said, “As I lay in bed that evening, I thought to myself what a comfortable feeling to be free from fear and worries. I could simply turn them over to God.”