I’m in Chicago and the very big news here is; the by beating the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL play-off series. We traditionally don’t have very good sports teams in our town and after 49 years of losing hockey games, we’re enjoying the taste of victory. I’m a very loyal fair-weather fan. I do not pay attention to sports until it’s the final minutes of a very close game where it’s a significant win.But when I do pay attention, I get nervous, excited and I start to pray. I fully understand that it doesn’t work that way. God doesn’t grant wishes like a good fairy, give presents like Santa Claus or dole out favors like a Chicago politician. Yet, I still found myself saying over and over last night, “please God, let them score just one more goal.” And how do I think that would work? Aren’t there just as many praying fans in Philadelphia? Wouldn’t God give more weight to the prayers coming from the Mom of the Flyer’s goalie than mine? So why do I pray during sporting events? Read next feature >