Witness our frequent national days of prayer led by top politicians and churchmen. There is the usual nice breakfast followed by prayer, talks and meditation. Of late, the theme is national unity: How to make administration officials and the opposition think and work as one.

The Lord understands the need for an honest opposition. Yet they don’t stop imploring Him to soften up the opposition. It is not enough that sworn enemies converse a while over breakfast, then leave as unconvinced as when they came.

* * *

Church leaders encourage the thinking that more good things "are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.’’

Two leading prelates have just reassured their flocks that while things may look bleak, they must not despair.

Just live a good life according to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and pray for better days.

What about action? What concrete things must the people do to dispel the national gloom, to produce more jobs, and feed more of God’s hungry hordes?

* * *

One suggests that they watch a replay of the Pacquiao-Morales fight.

As he stepped onto the ring, Manny Pacquiao knelt at his corner to pray, for just a minute or two, then got up and worked hard for ten rounds, finally winning the fight for which he trained hard for two months.

He won because he labored to condition himself, to help plan a fight strategy, and to spar for hours with various partners.

Of course, prayer took part of his time. But he balanced that with the formula that guides all successful men: "God helps those who help themselves.’’

God, as reported in the Bible, said man must live by the "sweat of his brow.’’ Prayer doesn’t bring on sweat.