For Louie Zamperini, a spiritual neophyte in his early days of combat, prayer was somewhat awkward, yet a very personal help in trouble:
“The two-week mark (on a life raft in the Pacific Ocean in a seemingly hopeless situation) was a different kind of turning point for Louie. He began to pray aloud. He had no idea how to speak to God, so he recited snippets of prayers that he’d heard in movies. Phil (Louie’s pilot and deeply religious friend, shot down together in their bomber) bowed his head as Louie spoke, offering “Amen” at the end. Mac (the bomber’s tail gunner who become hopeless and died during the ordeal) only listened.” (From “Unbroken”, page 156; parenthetical comments provided for context.)
Certainly it is easier to communicate with someone that you talk to frequently. A pre-trauma prayer ethic (an indicator of spiritual fitness), richly fueled by a knowledge of God’s scriptural assurances of provision and protection for His children, allows for even more effective and powerful communication with God when the storm rolls in.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts (emotional protection) and your minds (mental protection) in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7 (parenthetical comments added)
If you we not in the habit of praying. Let us consider, today, to cry out to God in the midst of our “storm” and then to be willing to become spiritually fit for any “storms” that will appear on the horizon.
