Stunt duo The Flying Wallendas have completed a daring high wire walk between two skyscrapers in the iconic setting of Times Sqaure, New York City. Some 25 stories above the pavement, onlookers held their breath as the pair teetered across the rope without a safety net.
Seventh-generation acrobat Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana Wallenda, were not only utterly relieved to reach the other side but, being committed Christians, they chose to give thanks to their God.
“Thank you, Jesus, glory to you, Holy God,” Lijana declared live on air as she made it across the wire.
Gospel music kept them calm
With nothing but a small harness and a pole for balance, the thousands below watched with horror and exhiliration as the pair edged across the 25-story-high wire.
While these are seasoned professionals, there is no doubt that keeping calm is an extremely tall order in these heart-thumping circumstances. So, the Wallanda’s did what they know best to calm the nerves — they listened to worship music.
“It is my passion,” Lijana said of her remarkable feat, which was even more significant considering her near-fatal fall back in 2017. The incident left her with nearly ever bone in her face smashed to pieces.
“I forgot who I was after the fall. … I finally remembered who I was (during training). … I had to push through,” she said, according to Fox News.
Prayers before the stunt
Houston megachurch pastor Joel Osteen was seen praying for the pair as they prepared themselves for the momentous walk.
“Thank you for the dreams, gifts and talents you’ve put in your heart,” Osteen prayed. “I just thank you that you are watching over them and protecting them. Thank you that your angels are watching after them.”
“You’ve got them in the palm of your hand,” Osteen added. “Let people see your glory through them, Lord.”
The Wallenda’s generations-old profession has caused them to suffer their fair share of tragedy and loss. Nik’s great-granther, Karl Wallenda, fell to his death during a 1978 high wire walk between two buildings in Puerto Rico.
Wallenda’s nephew and son-in-law died, and his son was paralyzed in separate incidents.