NCAA Final Four participant Loyola-Chicago has made an indelible effect on the sporting world with the faith exhibited by Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, a 98 year old nun who prays for Loyola a specific team prayer.

God is always in the mix of life and sports life, whether wanted or not. There is no secret in the prayer of Sister Jean who has authorized T-Shirts that exhibit her God slogan in the statement, “Worship, Work and Wisdom.” Look at that formula if you want success in life. God directed His creation to be overcomers, victorious and He will grant His followers to eat of the fruit of life which is in the paradise of God. In effect, we are to believe in God in every activity of life, including sports.

God has always been in sports. As a kid playing sandlot baseball in a day when there were no uniforms, the neighborhood boys would take a push mower and cut out a semblance of a diamond just to play a game. Many times there was only one ball and bat without gloves. Then, in the moment of a good hit, we lost the ball in the high grass and knew we needed outside help. This led to a search by everyone, Catholic, Protestant and Jew united, with common cause to pray for God to help us find the ball.

After many years of organized baseball I never met anyone who did not exhibit faith in another Power to aid in doing better. Anyone watching professional baseball will see numerous batters symbolize the Cross before getting in the batter’s box asking for help in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Yes, God is in every activity of life, including sports.

In the nationally televised NCAA 2018 championship football game between Alabama and Georgia, America saw God in sports labeled by “SignPosts” as the Tua Effect at the University of Alabama. Alabama would have failed to achieve the fifth national championship directed by Nick Saban had God not been part of the formula, one may conclude.

The Tua Effect came into play at half time and began with a 13-point deficit and no points on the board. How could this condition be turned around? There was 30 minutes of clock time for a win. The Tua Effect was benched as the second string QB and played very little throughout the fall season. But, he was called to the biggest stage of his life to deliver his talent to throw three touchdowns to lead Alabama to a win. The overtime pass of 41 yards was perfect in the final seconds of the game and every visual was seen in the Tua Effect except for one. The unseen possession of the Tua Effect is a personal relationship of man with God which is called prayer. Every activity of life, including sports should have the Tua Effect or effective prayer of a believer like Sister Jean.

Tim Tebow, Kurt Warner and NFL coaching great, Tony Dungy, along with many others know the Power of the TUA Effect and the prayer passion like Sister Jean in the game of life. The slogan of Sister Jean, “Worship, Work and Wisdom” is straight from God for the Bible says.

Worship and “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Work as Jesus taught in John 6:29 saying to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Further, the Apostle Paul said of work that “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Wisdom is for “the person who pleases God. He gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. (Ecc 2:26)

Sister Jean has made a statement for the world to see including every basketball fan in America.

N. Brad Carter Jr. is a Meridian resident and operates WMER (1390 AM). He hosts a radio bible class. Email rbc@wmerworldwide.com.