On Public Prayer

A common argument between Catholics and Protestants alike, with the huge popularity of Tim Tebow springing up two seasons ago, is whether public prayer is permissible.  The Catholic teaching is no, but there are still two sides to the argument. On one hand, Tebow seems to serve as a role model for kids and others to follow, to believe in God and rely upon him. However, a public prayer goes directly against what Christ says in the Bible. In this article I'll clarify what each argument says and why Mr. Tebow is in the wrong.

Let's begin with the more utilitarian approach: it helps people see a role model. First, this is a terrible argument. The people public prayer is aimed at already have the disposition to believe in no God. Atheists commonly see evidence of miracles yet still firmly believe they are magic tricks. Wait until Monday for a larger elaboration on what it means to believe.  But besides all of that, this kind of prayer objectifies a subjective prayer.  When you try to convert people, it shouldn't be via a public theater where people have no choice but to see you. Doing that makes God seem like a distant being who we thank for everything we do. However, that's not at all what God is. God has a personal relationship with us. He helps guide us through our lives to become closer to him. A true Christian does not merely believe in God, but has a personal relationship with God. For that reason, an equally personal conversion is necessary to truly find God in what we do. Even if one were to use the argument of evangelization, nobody learns from watching someone else practice. We don't learn calculus by watching the teacher solve problems on the board. That's absurd! We learn by being taught, not necessarily being shown. What that means is praying in public doesn't even meet the utilitarian benefit its supporters claim it does.

The stronger argument, on the other side, starts with a Bible verse. "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get." (Matthew 6:5)  When we pray in public, it directly contradicts this verse. Further, our prayer ought to be a private matter because it is personal. We shouldn't be pressed to pray when something happens or doesn't happen. Rather, we should pray to grow in our relationship with God, not our relationship with others.