On a wing and a prayer

Isaiah 40:31
I have always enjoyed learning the origins of words and colloquialisms. If nothing else, just to see how a word has developed and transformed over the years, into its present usage, will leave me with an appreciation of the history behind it. Recently I learned the origin of a classic saying, a wing and a prayer. The adage is used in situations that hold little hope for a positive outcome. It came from a post World War II song, written in 1943 by Harold Adamson. The song tells about a fighter pilot trying to make it home in a battered airplane that had but one good engine (or 'one good wing'). For which the chorus plays, "Com-in' In On A Wing And A Prayer, Com-in' In On A Wing And A Prayer. Tho' there's one motor gone, we can still carry on, Com-in' In On A Wing and A Prayer." The song attempted to paint the picture of a fierce battle, which left one wing of the aircraft seriously damaged. For this reason, the pilot had little hope in the remaining wing that carried them homeward. However, the pilot had tremendous hope in the One that could carry them home on wings like eagles. The writer of this song may not have been thinking about scripture when he penned those words, nonetheless, the faith expressed is quite similar to that of Isaiah when he proclaimed, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31)." Isaiah saw strength and comfort in the providence and sustaining power of the Lord. He believed the word of God, in spite of darkened times, that Jerusalem would be delivered from the enslavement of Babylon. In the face of what seemed to be a hopeless future, Isaiah found faith and enduring strength in the One that could carry them through on wings like eagles. Likewise, the song ends with the words, "With our full crew aboard and our trust in the Lord, we're Com-in' in on a Wing and a Prayer." Amen! Some day we will all be coming home. Meanwhile, let not our hope diminish by the damages sustained in life. Despite the fierce battles that war against our flesh, do not allow our shortcomings to weaken us, rather, let our hope be our strength, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2nd Corinthians 12:9). Our wings are those of eagles, and our prayers are those of praise to a God who never fails, who is ever present and faithful. Our God will not disappoint as He renews us and carries us homeward, upon a wing and a prayer.  [mp]

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Michael D'Urbano
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