A high wire walk that inspired the world

Some of you might have watched Nik Wallenda walk across Niagara Falls on a high wire on June 15, 2012. It was a truly impressive performance; the Falls were daunting in size and power, the conditions were challenging, and the veteran wire walker made it look easy. 

As he took one sure step after another on the wet cable, the audience could hear him communicating through a microphone with his father, who was also his coach, and praying out loud.  

What was striking about his prayer (apart from its being a prominent part of his walk) was how clearly joyful and filled with gratitude it was. This was not a prayer of petition, “God, help me do this incredibly hard thing!” This was a prayer of recognition that divine power and God’s presence were real and active right there in the thick mist and blowing gusts above Niagara. “Thank you, God,” he said over and over again. 

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