He Was the One NOT Praying

Katie Couric had an interview on 60 Minutes with Capt. Sullenberger who piloted the US Airways plane into the Hudson River a few weeks ago. Here's part of it from the 60 Minutes website:

Asked if he at any point prayed, he told Couric, "I would imagine somebody in back was taking care of that for me while I was flying the airplane."

"My focus at that point was so intensely on the landing," he said. "I thought of nothing else."

Let's be honest. I would expect everyone on that plane, their family and friends and any of the rest of us are quite glad- and comfortable- with the idea that Capt. Sullenberger wasn't praying. It doesn't say anything about his faith or his trust in God and prayer. To him at that moment the Captain was relying on the talents and training God had given him and allowed him to develop.

One of the mistakes we often make about prayer is that we see it as a magic way out or the old stage trick of God out of the machine saving everyone in the end when it was all hopeless. Yes, that can happen. But as the Captain indicated, you do what you are trained to do. That is not a distrust of God. That is being part of God's creation and life.

In 12-Step programs it is called "doing the footwork." I have said before but this is a good time to say it again. If it is pouring rain outside I can pray that if I go outside that God keeps me dry. To which God would no doubt answer:

So take your umbrella.