Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson (13) and Detroit Lions quarterback Shaun Hill (14) celebrate Burleson's touchdown catch in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Sunday , Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Prayer Does Changes Things

DETROIT MI – Earlier this year, on Thanksgiving Day, Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, Pastor of New Destiny Baptist Church, and Mr. Derrick Hills, from the church’s Communications Ministry, ask others to join with them as they gathered at Ford Field to “Ask God to Help the Detroit Lions”. Subsequent to those prayers it appeared that they went unanswered. Apparently, as evidence by four straight victories such is not the case.

Consequently, after leaving the Lions v. Vikings game today at Ford Field, Rev. Sheffield feels compelled to release the following statement. “In the aftermath of the Lions’ loss on Thanksgiving Day, and one other subsequent one, many people chided us and ridiculed us suggesting that our prayers went unanswered and were simply in vain. Apparently, based on four victories in a row they were answered, just not immediately. Actually this delay in time between our prayers and His answer is actually were faith abides. We like to minimize the amount of time between wish and fulfillment. Sometimes God makes us wait. And what I’ve learned from this is that God’s delay is not always His denial. And faith provides with the means of patience as we wait for the reward and the answer to be manifested. All I have to say is – who’s laughing now – Prayer DOES Changes Things – and it has even changed the Lions. Therefore, we should never dismiss the power of prayer. Since it helped the Lions maybe we should start paying for Detroit’s failing 911 system and for more jobs for the unemployed.”

Mr. Derrick Hills, also commenting on the Lions last few victories and closing the season with a win says “the Lions should invite us to a service of thanksgiving with players and coaches so we can thank God for the difference prayers has made, and then invite Rev. Sheffield and myself to Spring Camp – so we can start asking God early to help our team once again.”