Praying?

A wise army chaplain once remarked that there were no atheists in foxholes. The late Tom Smail quoted the philosopher Bertrand Russell describing the view from his coastal home, 'I have to hang onto the gatepost to prevent myself having a spiritual experience.'

The terrible plight of Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed during the Spurs v Bolton FA Cup tie on Saturday, has left many of his fellow players remarking that they are praying for him.

I wonder if popular culture is now ready for a course on prayer as an evangelistic strategy? People who are praying but do not know the one they are praying to may need some help. Something drives many people to prayer when crisis knocks on the door.

We ought to be better at talking about why.