So glad you posted this. Heard it on the radio the other day and was trying to describe it to that husband of mine.
“Dear Lord Baby Jesus, lying there in your…your little ghost manger, lookin’ at your Baby Einstein developmental…videos, learnin’ ’bout shapes and colors…”
It was funny in the context of Rickey Bobby because it was a deliberate offense. This doesn’t even have originality going for it. Line this up with the Psalms. With how Jesus taught us to pray. Any similarities? No? Probably because the idea of hawking corporate sponsors and celebrating the shallowest impulses of our lives in the context of communion with our God is a complete non sequitur. That’s precisely what makes it funny in the movie and offensive in real life. The pretext is bad enough: a supposed prayer for safety before deliberately doing something dangerous and unnecessary. The execution is a mockery.
This is not about God not having a sense of humor, nor about me or other people duly offended by this self-indulgent tripe needing to lighten up. This is on par with “Jesus is my Homeboy” t-shirts. It’s not our place to reduce our Creator and Redeemer to a punch line or a signpost directing attention to our own cleverness.
Scott, as a Christian and a NASCAR fan, I can’t describe how offensive I’m finding your comments in this thread. You obviously harbor ill will toward the people who follow this sport and also those of us who feel our relationship with Christ is secure enough that He would actually laugh and enjoy with us a situation that was not aimed at you, intended to be aimed at you and from your comments appears to have you thinking it’s beneath you.
If I was asked to lead a prayer before a race, I’d probably do the same thing. Why? Because God would see my heart, He would know my motives and a prayer like that would be an outpouring of the loving relationship between the two of us where I can thank Him for providing something I really enjoy like a night at the races.
“It’s not our place to reduce our Creator and Redeemer to a punch line or a signpost directing attention to our own cleverness.”
I would say it’s not our place to reduce our Creator to a humorless, cold, harsh judge who sits on high waiting to slap us down if we say or do something that might possibly be considered irreverent. This prayer wasn’t in a church during a service. It was at a NASCAR race. It was bringing our Father into a night of our fun and festivities.
Honestly, Scott, attitudes like you’re showing here are part of the reason I didn’t accept Christ until I was 24. I didn’t want to have anything to do with a Savior that didn’t want us to laugh or enjoy our lives with Him. I had to get past the people standing on high condemning anyone who dared to step outside of a heavily lined and very tiny box.
I don’t think you should assume that people that find this offense have a cold, harsh, humorless idea of God’s character. I find it offensive, and think that God has an amazing sense of humor. One that I employ usually above propriety. 🙂
(In Scott’s defense, he’s not the one that said that. 🙂
For the record, I think it’s funny. In a Ricky Bobby, so out of line, inaccurate portrayal of the spirit of Christ, kind of way.
And I would go out on a limb and say that anyone who thinks this public prayer is a biblically sound, God honoring prayer that encompasses the ideals and life of Jesus doesn’t know God … well.
Sure God has a sense of humor, but there’s a certain reverence necessary when speaking to the King of the Universe. If you want to make people laugh that’s fine, but why in a prayer? The reason I say that someone doesn’t know God is that if they truly loved and respected Him, in my opinion they would see that that is not respectful. I will not lighten up so that other people can feel more comfortble. Some would do well to dust off their bible and read how Jesus and the patriarchs prayed to the Father. Would Jesus stand there and say such a prayer? Who is our example and who are we supposed to be like? Of course God wants us to enjoy ourselves and have fun, but He is not our entertainment or something to add to a clever comment to make people laugh. Read the bible. If you disagree, it’s not with me. Sorry if God doesn’t fit your view of what you think He should be. The angels before His throne cover their faces in His presence. If you say something like “thank you for my smoking hot wife” are you talking to God or to your wife? Everything we do and say should be for His glory. We cannot dilute God or make Him to be something else (a homeboy for example) so that someone will feel more comfortable about being a Christian. Jesus is your friend and savior, but sometimes we forget that He’s also Lord.
Um… Didn’t God intend for our wives to be smokin hot in our eyes? Didn’t he create that wonderfully intimate relationship we should be enjoying with them? In fact, I’m pretty sure He takes pleasure in us having healthy thoughts about our wives. Those were part of his good design.
I’ve never been into Nascar myself, but if it’s like any other testosterone-filled sporting event, there are probably women there who are hired to be smokin hot for the audience to see. The men at Nascar were pumped about the race, the cars, and all the technology that went into making the car race be what it is. Be thankful for the good things you enjoy! On the other hand, being thankful for women paid to help get men’s testosterone flowing isn’t so good. I suppose the pastor could have taken the opportunity to slam Nascar for that. Instead he thanked God for the woman who is supposed to be smokin hot in his eyes. And he did it in a way that was to stick long enough to be thought about.
I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be thanking God for my smokin hot wife, than ogling other women.
I thought this prayer was pretty cool. He was thankful for Nascar, and all that goes into making it great. Except the women. Instead he encouraged the audience to instead be thinking of their wives. And he did it all in a way that the audience would hear rather than tune out. He was being culturally relevant, something any missionary will tell you is important.
And what’s really cool is that now, a couple million people have watched, and are thinking about prayer, and what’s appropriate to thank God for. And the people at Songify have got another million people thinking about it to. And even singing along.
I don’t think the issue has as much to do with God’s sense of humor as it does about context. To me the pastor trivializes God and the privilege of prayer in a venue where there are likely many who don’t know the value of either. He may have been the only “Jesus” they saw that day.
I’m sure Jesus had some great times laughing with his disciples. He might have even had a few jokes to tell the crowds that followed him.
But when he saw the way the money changers trivialized the temple he was furious.
Smoking hot wife is good, but it was the context in which he said it that was not. Abraham must have had a pretty smoking hot wife to hide that she was his wife so that they wouldn’t kill him for her (even at age 80!) Esther was the most beautiful in all the land. I never said there was anything wrong with that or even thanking God for that. However, shouldn’t that be a private prayer? Think, why would he say that to so many people if not to say it to his wife? Regardless even of that, the issue is respect before God. Jesus is our example and He would have never prayed such a prayer. We should follow the pattern of the Lord’s prayer that He prayed, it was all about glorifying God, not men and their inventions or possessions. This prayer was for the people listening, not for God.
Shaun Groves
Kelli says:
Hilarious! If that doesn’t make you want to praise Jesus, I’m not sure what will. 🙂
Becky says:
Wow. Just…wow. 🙂
Scott Baker says:
I have to say, there was almost nothing about this “prayer” that didn’t offend me deeply.
Karen says:
wow…that was shocking and not in a good way….
Judy says:
Wow….just….wow…I watched that RIGHT after reading this: http://blog.compassion.com/developed-world-tantrums/
….and now I feel extremely…unsettled….
JessicaB says:
So glad you posted this. Heard it on the radio the other day and was trying to describe it to that husband of mine.
“Dear Lord Baby Jesus, lying there in your…your little ghost manger, lookin’ at your Baby Einstein developmental…videos, learnin’ ’bout shapes and colors…”
JessicaB says:
P.S. I see what you did there, not offering up your opinion. 😉
Fire starter.
Liz Reeves says:
I noticed that too. Smart boy! 🙂
kraft says:
Completely disrespectful. A joke just like your new age church concert halls and social hours. Anyone who likes this does not know God.
Bill says:
I’m sorry I saw this. The next time I’m called upon to read scripture and pray in our worship service, I’m not sure what will come out.
Denise says:
Never did understand Nascar…after this…don’t think I ever will! :o)
lcg says:
And then there’s the songified version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZnDt2wEFjk
Paula says:
I was just about to post the very same link 🙂
ann says:
I was not deeply offended…please help.
Kelli says:
Hehe…me either. I guess I figure it was a NASCAR event, not a Gaither tent revival. It did remind me very much of Ricky Bobby. 🙂
Liz Reeves says:
Me either, Ann. I saw the humor in it. I saw a pastor who doesn’t take himself too seriously. I saw a Nascar event.
I know there are plenty of people who will disagree with me & I’m OK with that.
HeatherEV says:
Haha…definitely not offended…shows that we’re not all dry and boring with God 🙂
Amy says:
I guess I don’t know God. 😉 I’ve heard He has a sense of humor, but I guess since I don’t know Him, I was wrong.
Scott Baker says:
It was funny in the context of Rickey Bobby because it was a deliberate offense. This doesn’t even have originality going for it. Line this up with the Psalms. With how Jesus taught us to pray. Any similarities? No? Probably because the idea of hawking corporate sponsors and celebrating the shallowest impulses of our lives in the context of communion with our God is a complete non sequitur. That’s precisely what makes it funny in the movie and offensive in real life. The pretext is bad enough: a supposed prayer for safety before deliberately doing something dangerous and unnecessary. The execution is a mockery.
This is not about God not having a sense of humor, nor about me or other people duly offended by this self-indulgent tripe needing to lighten up. This is on par with “Jesus is my Homeboy” t-shirts. It’s not our place to reduce our Creator and Redeemer to a punch line or a signpost directing attention to our own cleverness.
Beth says:
Well said!
Beth
Jason says:
Scott, as a Christian and a NASCAR fan, I can’t describe how offensive I’m finding your comments in this thread. You obviously harbor ill will toward the people who follow this sport and also those of us who feel our relationship with Christ is secure enough that He would actually laugh and enjoy with us a situation that was not aimed at you, intended to be aimed at you and from your comments appears to have you thinking it’s beneath you.
If I was asked to lead a prayer before a race, I’d probably do the same thing. Why? Because God would see my heart, He would know my motives and a prayer like that would be an outpouring of the loving relationship between the two of us where I can thank Him for providing something I really enjoy like a night at the races.
“It’s not our place to reduce our Creator and Redeemer to a punch line or a signpost directing attention to our own cleverness.”
I would say it’s not our place to reduce our Creator to a humorless, cold, harsh judge who sits on high waiting to slap us down if we say or do something that might possibly be considered irreverent. This prayer wasn’t in a church during a service. It was at a NASCAR race. It was bringing our Father into a night of our fun and festivities.
Honestly, Scott, attitudes like you’re showing here are part of the reason I didn’t accept Christ until I was 24. I didn’t want to have anything to do with a Savior that didn’t want us to laugh or enjoy our lives with Him. I had to get past the people standing on high condemning anyone who dared to step outside of a heavily lined and very tiny box.
Scott Baker says:
Wow.
What is prayer?
JessicaB says:
I don’t think you should assume that people that find this offense have a cold, harsh, humorless idea of God’s character. I find it offensive, and think that God has an amazing sense of humor. One that I employ usually above propriety. 🙂
Just sayin.
Amy says:
And on the other end of the spectrum, you shouldn’t assume that people who did find it funny don’t know God.
JessicaB says:
(In Scott’s defense, he’s not the one that said that. 🙂
For the record, I think it’s funny. In a Ricky Bobby, so out of line, inaccurate portrayal of the spirit of Christ, kind of way.
And I would go out on a limb and say that anyone who thinks this public prayer is a biblically sound, God honoring prayer that encompasses the ideals and life of Jesus doesn’t know God … well.
Rick Orrell says:
I KNOW God has a sense of humor – he puts up with me every day……. 🙂
kraft says:
Sure God has a sense of humor, but there’s a certain reverence necessary when speaking to the King of the Universe. If you want to make people laugh that’s fine, but why in a prayer? The reason I say that someone doesn’t know God is that if they truly loved and respected Him, in my opinion they would see that that is not respectful. I will not lighten up so that other people can feel more comfortble. Some would do well to dust off their bible and read how Jesus and the patriarchs prayed to the Father. Would Jesus stand there and say such a prayer? Who is our example and who are we supposed to be like? Of course God wants us to enjoy ourselves and have fun, but He is not our entertainment or something to add to a clever comment to make people laugh. Read the bible. If you disagree, it’s not with me. Sorry if God doesn’t fit your view of what you think He should be. The angels before His throne cover their faces in His presence. If you say something like “thank you for my smoking hot wife” are you talking to God or to your wife? Everything we do and say should be for His glory. We cannot dilute God or make Him to be something else (a homeboy for example) so that someone will feel more comfortable about being a Christian. Jesus is your friend and savior, but sometimes we forget that He’s also Lord.
Steve VB says:
Um… Didn’t God intend for our wives to be smokin hot in our eyes? Didn’t he create that wonderfully intimate relationship we should be enjoying with them? In fact, I’m pretty sure He takes pleasure in us having healthy thoughts about our wives. Those were part of his good design.
I’ve never been into Nascar myself, but if it’s like any other testosterone-filled sporting event, there are probably women there who are hired to be smokin hot for the audience to see. The men at Nascar were pumped about the race, the cars, and all the technology that went into making the car race be what it is. Be thankful for the good things you enjoy! On the other hand, being thankful for women paid to help get men’s testosterone flowing isn’t so good. I suppose the pastor could have taken the opportunity to slam Nascar for that. Instead he thanked God for the woman who is supposed to be smokin hot in his eyes. And he did it in a way that was to stick long enough to be thought about.
I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be thanking God for my smokin hot wife, than ogling other women.
Steve VB says:
I thought this prayer was pretty cool. He was thankful for Nascar, and all that goes into making it great. Except the women. Instead he encouraged the audience to instead be thinking of their wives. And he did it all in a way that the audience would hear rather than tune out. He was being culturally relevant, something any missionary will tell you is important.
Steve VB says:
And what’s really cool is that now, a couple million people have watched, and are thinking about prayer, and what’s appropriate to thank God for. And the people at Songify have got another million people thinking about it to. And even singing along.
Thomas says:
It is nice to know that he is thankful for his “smoking hot wife”.
Dave says:
I don’t think the issue has as much to do with God’s sense of humor as it does about context. To me the pastor trivializes God and the privilege of prayer in a venue where there are likely many who don’t know the value of either. He may have been the only “Jesus” they saw that day.
I’m sure Jesus had some great times laughing with his disciples. He might have even had a few jokes to tell the crowds that followed him.
But when he saw the way the money changers trivialized the temple he was furious.
Will says:
Simply inappropriate in any setting.
kraft says:
Smoking hot wife is good, but it was the context in which he said it that was not. Abraham must have had a pretty smoking hot wife to hide that she was his wife so that they wouldn’t kill him for her (even at age 80!) Esther was the most beautiful in all the land. I never said there was anything wrong with that or even thanking God for that. However, shouldn’t that be a private prayer? Think, why would he say that to so many people if not to say it to his wife? Regardless even of that, the issue is respect before God. Jesus is our example and He would have never prayed such a prayer. We should follow the pattern of the Lord’s prayer that He prayed, it was all about glorifying God, not men and their inventions or possessions. This prayer was for the people listening, not for God.