Chances are good by now you’ve seen this. It happened down the road from me. I don’t know this pastor, but I may need to invite him to lunch sometime.
Just so you know, this is not a typical Tennessee prayer. It certainly brings attention to the fact that we do pray! 🙂
What thoughts come to your mind with this prayer?
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I know God has a pretty bizarre sense of humor—he made me a pastor.
But seriously, I have mixed emotions about the prayer. I'm not so sure I am comfortable with the listing of the sponsors in the prayer—maybe simply an acknowledgement would have been appropriate, and more focus on God being at work in the all the people involved in the day.
The slightly irreverent tone was MORE than appropriate, especially in a culture where 87% of people are not active in a church because they see them as stuffy and irrelevant.
I do know God has a sense of humor…after all He created me.
I haves mixed emotions. On one hand, I chuckle. On the other, I am somewhat disgusted at the disrespect he seems to show. When he could have been praying for protection for the drivers, he was lauding man-made machines. I also know that if I had prayed for my smokin' hot wife in public like that, people would have been looking for me in some pit area needing 2 new wheels and my windshield needing cleaned. 😉
expressions of respect are relative, and we are all different.
Thanks Bill. I think I'd have to know his heart in this. I read an interview where he said his motives are to participate in Nascar talk so perhaps he has an opportunity to witness to people later. I totally agree, however, that if it's a matter of disrespect in his heart, then I would have a problem with this…or if he was praying to build his popularity…(bring honor to himself). I tend to think he wasn't and is surprised at the viral nature of this prayer. Living in this part of the country, where Nascar is so popular among some, you almost have to "talk the language" to reach some people. I'm not a Nascar fan (even that statement could get me in trouble around here), but I do know it's a part of culture that embraces all aspects of that culture. I think this pastor felt he was among friends…those he was trying to reach…speaking a prayer in the context they would understand.
All that being said, I also don't know if public prayer are to be used in that way….to reach people…or simply to talk to a Holy God. I see how that could be a debate in and of itself.
YES! I'm so glad I shared this with you haha. I'm honored, I feel like I'm a part of your blog now!
You did share this with me first, didn't you?
If something excites you, your gonna give thanks in your own special way. I thought this was a perfect prayer. God is pleased when His children are blessed and thankful for His blessings. Some people are too reverent. I remember David dancing naked because the ark had been returned and his wife threw a fit. Same thing. Let us give thanks exuberantly and joyfully. I especially liked the smoking hot wife part. It's time that Christians start showing the way. He's proud to be married and loves who he's married to.
Truly a prayer of thanks and joy! Was it an invocation though? Not really. But I think the racers will remember this for a long time and might actually spark some interest in the reality of a relationship with God!
Good thoughts Kevin. Thanks.
Twitter: _brad_gilbert_
says:
Though I am not usually accused of being too "up tight," I did find this a little off-putting. I guess my question to the pastor would be this – if you were face to face with the Father, would this be how you spoke to Him? If the answer is no (which it would be if I was answering it), then no, it was not a good prayer.
I get that Brad. I really do. Probably as much as anything recently, this prayer opens the discussion of what is too far in reaching people and what kind of relationship do we have with God? I see your concern. God is holy. He's never to be taken lightly, or flippantly. I don't know, however, that this pastor wasn't being himself. I read an interview and he says he was. I think my biggest question would be his heart. If this is the real him, then He's honoring God in his way. If I tried to do this prayer, I'd be fake…and it would NOT be how I would approach God.
Good question. I love the discussion potentials here.
what's the big deal of being 'one day face to face' when we are currently heart to heart (indwelling of the Holy Spirit)?
@bbow73 – That is my point – if you wouldn't speak face to face with God in that way, then you shouldn't now because prayer is speaking directly to the Father, as if we are face to face. That was why the Temple veil was torn from top to bottom.
@Ron – am I wrong in hearing that the "prayer" was actually a quote from a movie?
I don't know anything about that Brad. Haven't heard that. Others may know something about that.
I googled it, and this is what I found.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2011-07-…
I think this pastor embodies the scripture about giving thanks in all things. Wonderful.
He certainly gave thanks "in all things".
Twitter: drplexico
says:
Two words for the critics: lighten up. There's probably been more talk about prayer in the past few days and that's a good thing. Let's remember Romans 8:28.
Yea, I think it's awesome!