War Prayers for Chicago Cubs

The best World Series is the one fight to the very end: Game 7 will be played tomorrow (November 2).

Terry Francona took Boston Red Sox to the World Series champion in 2007; it would be wonderful for him to duplicate the deed, taking Cleveland Indians to the top of the Mountain, the glory of America’s Pastime.  But, my heart is in Chicago, not only is it my first City in America back in 1971, but also our numerous visits to the Windy City during Joy’s school and resident training days.

Joy was at Wiggly Field many times, thanks to the thoughtfulness of one attending orthopedist who happened to be the team physician for the Cubs.

I wrote a “War Prayer” in 2005 when Chicago White Sox went to the World Series.  With minor revision it can be used for Chicago Cubs now.

Chicago is preparing for war; the spirit-lifting emails have reached every single soul (including Joy) in all Chicago Land.  Since this is a curse-lifting event, divine intervention is integral to this process.  Every pastor in the church of every denomination is making fervent sermons invoking the aid of the ever-merciful benignant Father of us all for this Holy War.

I plagiarized and modified from Mark Twain’s War Prayer:

It is a time of great and exalting excitement.  The White Sox Cubs Nation is up in arms, the war is on, in every breast burned the holy fire of loyalism; the drums are beating, the band playing, the bunched firecracker hissing and sputtering, the fire work exploding in the sky above the Navy Pier [where all the firework is done in Chicago], the “Go! Cubs Go!” banners flying along the colorful Magnificent Mile.  The air is crispy, lofty and euphoric.

The players and the fans march the wide Michigan Avenue, gay and fine in their White Sox Cubs uniforms, cheering and choking with happy emotions.

May merciful God watch over our players, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their noble work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril and dispute, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody battle, help them to crush the foe.

The thundering music of The Battle Hymn of the Republic fills the air in all corners of Chicago, coming from the burning breasts of all Cubs fans.