"We Still Pray!"

Today, on my drive back up to MD from NC, I noticed a bumper sticker that read, "We Still Pray."

This is a very encouraging bumper sticker, since there appear to be fewer and fewer people standing up for Christian principles nowadays. Actually, I guess these people may not have been Christians necessarily, but I assume that if they had been Muslim or Jewish, there would have been something to distinguish the sticker as such.

Nevertheless, it is good to see "emblems" of Christianity every now and again. Knowing that people are praying for their families, churches, friends, and even their country, is a good thing. In fact, if these folks are truly faithful in their prayers for this country, then they are de facto praying for me! For that, I am truly thankful.

However - and there is always a "However" isn't there - I really wonder if such a display of one's religious piety ruins the point. It's like the Kindergartner who received a sticker for humility on Monday but had it taken away when he wore it on Tuesday. In showcasing our "holiness", don't we lose, or at least diminish, that holiness?

Indeed, Jesus warns against broadcasting our "humble" devotion to God. In Matthew 6:1, our Lord says, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (ESV). He then discusses how the hypocrites, while faithful to give to the poor, to fast, and to pray, miss the mark by proving their holiness.

Instead of such arrogant displays, Christ calls us to give, pray, and fast, in secret, so that God, the One we should aim to please, would be the only one to witness our righteous deeds.

Perhaps you could argue that the persons who put that bumper sticker on their car were not trying to garner the attention of others. Christians carry Bibles that can be seen by others, and many of us wear crosses, crucifixes, fish, or other Christian symbols. What's the difference?

Well, necklaces are personal reminders of our God, our place in the universe, and the work of Christ. Most Christians I know wear their crosses under their shirts, and if someone else were to see it, well then that person is simply staring a bit too closely.

Bumper stickers, on the other hand, are designed to be seen, noticed, and read, by other people. That's the point! You don't put something on the outside of your car so you can admire it while you drive. You put it there so that others will admire it.

In fact, I'd suggest that these particular people put the sticker on their car for one of two reaons, and perhaps both.
a. To win the praise of fellow believers.
b. To antagonize unbelievers.

Umm... That doesn't sound too holy to me.

Rather than displaying a sign telling me that these folks pray, I'd prefer them to just pray. I don't need to know that they pray, and neither do other people. We need them to pray. We need them to give their time, money, and energy to the poor and hurting. We need them to fast and worship the One True God.

In other words, we need these folks, as well as ourselves and others, to do exactly what our blessed Savior commands: to practice our righteousness in secret. Notice, too, the result: "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:4).

To me, that sounds much better than the praise of men or antagonism...