Four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry says do not underestimate the power of prayer.
“I think it’s very important that people understand that prayer does work,” Strawberry said in response to critics of “thoughts and prayers” after a tragedy.
Many political leaders, including President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, were criticized for sending “thoughts and prayers” to victims of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a gunman killed 26 people and injured 20 at the First Baptist Church.
Several people took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the matter:
To all those asking for thoughts and prayers for the victims in #churchshooting , it seems that your direct line to God is not working.
— Marina Sirtis (@Marina_Sirtis) November 6, 2017
At this point, “thoughts and prayers” just means “shut up and take it”
— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) November 5, 2017
thoughts and prayers for people who were mowed down in a church sounds especially hollow.
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) November 5, 2017
Thoughts and prayers, however, are not just empty words, according to Mr. Strawberry. “So many people consider that there is no reason for prayer. You might not see it immediately, but prayer never goes unanswered, and I think that too many people don’t realize the importance of it.”
Strawberry notoriously struggled with addiction throughout his MLB career with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. Today, he is a born-again Christian and ordained minister, and is dedicated to sharing the power of God and prayer with others.
To hear more about Darryl and his new book about overcoming addiction, tune in to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on November 15, where Strawberry will sit down with Fallon to discuss his recovery and what he’s doing to help others escape the shadows of addiction by shedding light on a path to recovery.
