Does God listen to a bomber pilot?
Friday, 10 April 2026
Martin van Beynen is a Press journalist and regular opinion contributor.
OPINION: Prague, March 31. It was extra time in a crucial World Cup football qualifying match between Denmark and Czechia. Denmark were down 1-2 and facing elimination.
In the 111th minute, Danish striker Kasper Høgh connected with a corner kick and sensationally headed in for the equaliser. He and Danish supporters were understandably ecstatic but Høgh’s first thought, judging by his immediate reaction, was to profusely thank and acknowledge God Almighty as though the deity was in some way responsible.
In the world of professional football, Høgh’s conduct is nothing unusual. Elite footballers are forever kissing the grass, standing in prayer, crossing themselves and pointing skywards as though God takes a very close interest in football.
It’s not only football. Just this weekend, former South African Michael Sclanders smashed a record 379 in a club cricket final in Hamilton.
“I have a very strong faith. I’m a Christian and just to be blessed to bat that long is pretty cool,” he said.
The proliferation of elite Christian, Hindu and Muslim sportspeople could be proof of the principle that God smiles on the faithful. I can think of more rational explanations but it does raise the interesting question of who God listens to.
Perhaps it doesn’t matter because if the players believe God is blessing their every move on the pitch or wants them to succeed then the magic works.
The question was raised recently in a very different context. The saga started late last month when American defence secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory in battle and the safety of their troops.
“Every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches,” he said, “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, wasn’t impressed. He used his Palm Sunday sermon to condemn the Iran war, saying: “This is our God … A God who refuses war … who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.”
The Pope quoted the book of Isaiah (chapter 1, verse 15): “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: Your hands are full of blood.”
I’m no theologian but I wonder if the Pope, who was once regarded as infallible, has got this right. It occurs to me that either God listens to everyone or no-one. If God loves everyone, then that suggests God would at least listen to the Our Father of a bomber pilot as much as to the entreaties of a little child.
I doubt God goes: “Oh, you are talking about war again. You are blocked until you start loving your enemies and turn the other cheek.“
The evidence that God is actually listening is much weaker than that he isn’t. How many candle-lit prayer sessions have called for world peace, for rain or for a cure without making a damn bit of difference. I know God works in mysterious ways but prayer as a plea for intervention seems as futile as using your rosary or prayer beads as a tow rope.
If God listens, he certainly does not listen in the way we would expect. The God- bothering answer is that we will never understand how and why God responds to our surrender, praise and subtle requests.
I don’t buy that. If God has given us reasoning and common sense, what’s the point of being so obscure and baffling in his dealings with us. Our ability to reason allows us to see very clearly that God does not take an interventionist approach. If God listens, the listening is entirely passive. Atheists would say the reason is very simple. God does not exist.
Let’s not get into that. There are no atheists in the trenches and with a terminal illness, I’m in one. I’m happy to admit I find it comforting to seek divine solace occasionally. It’s always tempting to ask for a Lotto win but I restrict myself to one simple request. Give me strength. Is that too much to ask?
I don’t imagine the deity suddenly administering a good dose of staunchness to the miserable subject before him. The benefit for me lies mostly in fulfilling the very human need for connection with something bigger. A meditative moment’s plea implies an openness to the unknowable. Just saying the words can quell the noise of anxiety.
Maybe this is just what the professional footballers are doing. A mantra or touchstone to maximise the chances of success. And for all we know God is in fact a fanatical sports fan.
But just going back to the football match I started with. Høgh’s joy at receiving God’s individual attention to achieve football glory was short-lived. In the penalty shoot-out that followed the expiration of extra time, Denmark lost badly and therefore Czechia will be the team going to the World Cup. Mind you, Høgh was not asked to take one of the penalties.