Daily Prayer, 1 February

One of the principle developments that helped the US Navy win the war in the Pacific during WWII was underway replenishments and refueling. Ships could stay on station longer because the gas station came to them. We’re still the only navy that does it routinely while underway. The skill came in handy for deployments during the recent pandemic, when, to preserve operational readiness from COVID outbreaks, ships were denied port visits. So, the port came to us, bringing with it gas, food, supplies, and-everyone’s favorite-mail. The following prayer was written on a day we finally completed an UNREP that we’d attempted a few times before, but had been hindered by equipment malfunctions and weather.

Well, it took us a few tries, but we finally managed to get all of our stores and mail on board. Achieving success only after multiple attempts is a familiar story, one we’re told so often as we’re growing up that we might get weary of hearing it. Mostly, I think that is because it’s one thing to keep trying until you get a math problem correct, but how do you keep trying at life? That can best be answered by stories of men or women who’ve done it, like the fella I’m going to tell you about tonight.

Born in Iowa, where he played both high school and college football, he went undrafted after his final collegiate season. But he didn’t quit.

He was invited to try out for the Green Bay Packers, but was released before the season even began. He still didn’t quit, but decided that family couldn’t wait, and so he got married and started having children. Even while he was stocking grocery store shelves to provide for his family he continued to have hopes—though they were fading—of a successful NFL tryout.

The hopeful finally got his chance and won a spot as a second string quarterback on a team with low expectations. But when the starting quarterback was injured in a preseason game, all of his preparation and persistence was finally given an opportunity, and he made the best of it. The Northern Iowa Panther was so unknown that Sports Illustrated asked on their cover “Who is this guy?” That year he became one of only two QBs to win a Superbowl in his first season, and also the most recent player—and only the 4^th QB—to win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season.

He would play in two more Superbowls, losing them both, but recording in the process the three highest single-game passing yardage totals in Superbowl history, and is one of only six quarterbacks to have thrown a touchdown pass in three different Superbowls.

Inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame in 2017 he is the only member of that fraternity who is also a member of the Arena Football Hall of Fame. Although he played for two teams afterward, Kurt Warner will likely be best remembered as the ringleader of the “Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams. All because he kept trying.

Warner never forgot that it almost never happened, and credits his faith with getting him through the tough times at the Hy-Vee grocery store in Iowa. He is quick to thank God and give the Almighty credit for all of his success. Because of his faith Warner never gave up, even when things were bleak. Make certain you have something to hold onto to get you through the tough times. Because with something to hope for there is always a chance of success.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your abiding presence that gives us comfort even in our darkest hours. May we not forget about You when things go our way, but help us follow Kurt Warner’s example of persistence and give you the glory for our success, for every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from you the Father of Lights, and to you we give adoration and worship always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

AMEN