Nuns calling on the fan upstairs For the naysayers who think Spurs don’t have a prayer.

Sister Angelita Guzman (right) reacts to a humorous exchange between Sisters Guadalupe Medina (left) and Sister Rosalba Garcia, 85, while discussing the Salesian Sisters' love for the Spurs. Sister Angelita Guzman (right) reacts to a humorous exchange between Sisters Guadalupe Medina (left) and Sister Rosalba Garcia, 85, while discussing the Salesian Sisters' love for the Spurs. Photo: Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Nuns calling on the fan upstairs 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Dear God,

We, the Spurs Nation, face Armageddon tonight.

Let not the Miami Heat steal victory.

We confess we've fallen short of an NBA title — lo, these past six, tribulating years.

We nearly entered the Promised Land two nights ago. Carry us across the Jordan this time.

Consider the devotion of the 35 Salesian sisters of St. John Bosco.

From their West Side convent and retirement center, they've prayed every couple of hours every day during the playoffs for their beloved Spurs to prevail.

“We pray with faith. We know he's listening,” said Sister Olga Muñoz whose religious order is noted for educating youths at inner-city schools and parishes. “Of course, the outcome is up to him.”

Would you deny the prayer of Sister Rosalba Garcia, 85?

A Spurs flag flutters from her walker next to a Spurs Coyote doll. On her closet door are team photos and a poster of her all-time favorite player, Manu Ginobili, next to a portrait of Sister Mary Mazzarello, the Salesians' cofounder.

“We want them to win,” Garcia said. “They have a very open way of thinking and playing the game. They think of each other.”

Let the nice guys finish first, oh Lord.

The sisters' devotion to the team grew from their ministry to youth in San Antonio. In 2007, the last year the Spurs won it all, coach Gregg Popovich paid a visit to the convent.

“They're excellent role models for the kids,” Muñoz said. “They're clean in their play. And they're united.”

In the convent's community room, the nuns will gather for Game 7's epic showdown. In white habits, they'll gaze at a megascreen TV.

Toward the rear is a small chapel where they can retreat to cope with tense moments — as they've done plenty of times during the playoffs thus far.

Some sisters have opted to stay put, unable to leave the screen. It's as if the Spurs were their own children. That's commitment, Lord.

“We do obtain graces for the Spurs,” Muñoz said of their prayers. “Even if they lose, we pray they have character and honesty. Nothing is lost.”

Dear God, intervene for the small-market team, the one that plays ball like you intended: fundamentally and unselfishly. Defense first. Rebounding. Sharing the ball.

At times, the Heat have gone on scoring spurts in this series — but the sisters have not taken your name in vain. Not once.

They believe. So do we.

“It's not going to be because of a miracle if they win,” Sister Kathy Keane said. “It'll be because of their skill.”

No denying the truth. Bless their dreams — our hopes — for tonight.

Let the San Antonio River burst its banks with a parade.

Lead us into the sweet waters of a fifth NBA title.

Just one more time.

alevy@express-news.net