Write Team: We do have a prayer

While watching bowl games and NFL playoff games, I encountered some young men, who, after the game, thanked God or Jesus Christ for watching over them.

One player started with thanks to his savior Jesus Christ when interviewed about the awesome game he played. This in the backdrop of a man, having committed a terrible act in the name of ISIS that ended the lives of more than a dozen people in the same city. As a Christian, this tells me that we do have a prayer.

After years where networks would not show a common practice after professional football games, players from both teams kneeling at the 50-yard line and praying; some players in college and the pros have decided to at least insert their comments into the interviews after the game. Networks seem to have backed off a little on their policies not to show acts of Christian faith. When a player is injured and other players kneel in prayer nearby, they do not automatically go to commercial or divert the cameras. At a time when players seem anything but humble, it is good to see players admitting that their talent comes from somewhere other than themselves.

As I watched the funeral service of Jimmy Carter with the speeches that revealed things about him that I knew but had no idea how deeply he held good beliefs, it was obvious that his commitments were grounded in his faith. I can only hope that the players I mentioned will follow through with admirable actions in their lives to witness to the words they said on national television.

I hope they watched as the world witnessed Jimmy’s commitment as eulogized and they draw inspiration from a fine president.

I believe that former president Carter’s moral character came also from his humble beginning. I know it helped ground me and helped me not to look down on others like others did. Although I did not know it at the time, disappointments in my life helped shape my character. So many of which I was grateful for afterward, as I saw how they led me to better outcomes.

I pursued advancement or a different position, when I was happy doing what I was doing, but I thought it would be better if I made the decisions at work.

We do have a prayer, despite more corrupt or uncaring officials. Maybe though there are not more corrupt officials, but more caught. They are still a minority, and though in power they do not decide what our lives will be like. That is more controlled by the neighbors who come over and offer to mow your lawn when they see you struggling. Also, by the person who opens the door for you when he sees you have a cane; and other acts of caring, and a praying college football player. So. I must say happy birthday Virgil. I’m praying for you.

• Rodney Verdine is retired as the assistant director at the La Salle County Detention Home, but also had been a probation officer. He can be reached at newsroom@mywebtimes.com