Violating Scripture to Appear Special

Why I am not impressed when someone on a ball field prays in front of thousands of fans who came there to entertain themselves and pay the player lots of money for this entertainment.

Have you ever had questions about the players in professional ball who pray on the field in front of the fans before a game?

I wonder what they are praying for and who they are praying to? Are they praying to win, or are they praying for the fans to become saved? Are they praying for success so they can become superior to others?

And, what about the scripture that says we are to pray in private not to show off to others. Any praying can be done before the game in private, what is it with getting out there in front of crowds, it seems odd to me?

Matthew 6:5-8

5 “And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they [a]will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

6 But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

I was once told I was being judgmental for sensing something is not right about these public displays of praying. My response was that when something seems off I go to the Bible to see what God might be telling me and this display of public praying violates Scripture and brings glory to the player doing it not to God.

I would be pleased and blessed to see a player coming on the field before a game and clearly speaking the gospel to the fans so that they can see their need for Christ.

So many things modern Christianity does has more to do with glorifying self than it has anything to do with the salvation through faith in Christ. As long as the public person displays his "religion" in front of others, they seem to be satisfied that they are the center of attention.

There are many experiences I have seen in which those who were praying made sure everyone saw them and their prayers were mantras written by others rather than heartfelt connection with Christ.

Sometimes church attendees are no different from those who use religion in vainglory to elevate themselves and impress others as described in the Bible. These people have a high opinion of themselves and want to make sure others see them as being special.

Luke 18:10-14

“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ ...

Mark 12:38-40

“Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Isaiah 29:13

"Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men."

Whenever we do things to bring attention to ourselves to appear special we are violating a whole lot of scripture.

Luke 16:15

"So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God."

The superficial Christianity of today is based not on a depth of relationship with Christ but on appearances and self-exaltation. The closer we come to the end of the church age the more we will see these things on steroids. Not only will many people be like this but the entire culture will think it is good.

Isaiah 1:15

"When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood."

May the Christian community stop elevating people who show off and begin to see things in the truth of the Bible.