I don't think he's asleep or praying, or any of those. He's pensive, serious, and understanding the commitment he is about to make. It's been 18 years for me, but I still remember how nervous I was. He looks the same way.
It's kinda the equivalent of a runout pitch at Pinns. A very scary commitment, but, once you pull it off it's incredibly rewarding.
Keep pulling it off, man.