The Popularity of Prayer Today

I’ve read so much in so many places about the lack of prayer in schools, how it should be banned from all public places, and even more - all directed at getting rid of public prayer. Instead of killing prayer, these efforts seem to be bolstering our need to pray even more. The more we see and read these things, the more we pray.

It’s not just that we pray more, either. It’s that we are more vocal and willing to discuss the fact that we pray. I do not remember, growing up, so much discussion about prayer among adults as there is today. Even though prayer in the workplace can cause problems if it interferes with the normal flow of the workday, this past 10 years is the first time I have seen or heard of the desire for prayer groups or prayer sessions on the job.

I think this is a wonderful trend. The more we are told to shut up and not pray out loud, the more we feel the need to pray and feel the need to explain it to others, to share the power of prayer. The trick is to balance our sharing with others. I try never to push, and perhaps push someone in the completely opposite direction. Unfortunately for those who are trying to shut down prayer, it seems to be backfiring. That is so amazing and so wonderful.

Dear Father, thank you for hearing our prayers and for the strength our prayers give us.