If you need a little help winning the lottery, or you just want your favorite sports team to win, try asking the Almighty. It won’t actually work, but you’ll be in good company.
From Sarah Pulliam Bailey at Religion News Service:
When Americans aren’t busy praying for themselves or their own needs — and most of them are — many are seeking divine intervention on behalf of a favorite sports team or the golden ticket in the lottery, according to a new survey.

None of that seems to accord with what Jesus supposedly taught. The same is true for God’s son’s exhortation that we love our enemies and pray for them. Only 37 percent of praying Americans have ever asked the Lord to smile upon their enemies.
More about the scope and methodology of the project here.