This is funny. However, at the same time that I laugh at this, I want to cry.
I’ve watched this video several times today. Every time I watch it I cannot help but laugh. You must give this pastor credit for creativity. His creative prayer has caught the attention of many. It’s been on local television stations. It’s gotten close to 700,000 hits on Youtube. You can read about it on Fox News. According to Fox News, when asked why he prayed this unforgettable prayer, Nelms said, “I want to get somebody’s attention, so that’s been our desire every time we’ve been up there, to try to make an impact on the fans and give them something they’ll remember, and maybe they’ll go home on a Friday night or a Saturday night and say, ‘Maybe I ought to get up and go to church in the morning.’”
Mission accomplished. He’s gotten the attention of a nation. Perhaps a few got up on Sunday morning and went to church because they wanted to hear more from this creative prayer. However, is this the kind of attention that exalts Christ? Without a doubt, this pastor has made a name for himself, but has he made a name for Christ? What in this prayer exalted the name of Christ and demonstrated His power and glory? Is the purpose of prayer to get the attention of others or to cry to the God of all creation by magnifying His name with the knowledge that He hears our prayers and answers according to His will? Let me remind you of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:5-6, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.” Let us make sure that our prayers are not an attempt to be seen by others. Let us make sure that we pray in such a way that Christ as exalted in our words and God’s will is sought as we bow in the presence of Almighty God.
