For some unknown reason, I have been getting into NASCAR lately. Maybe it is because my father has moved to North Carolina, the home of NASCAR. Maybe it is because I now have a son, and I can see something other than Barbie in my future. Maybe it is the timing of the movies Cars, and Talladega Nights. Maybe it is a combo of all of it, but I watched my first NASCAR race today. I thought it would be just three hours of drivers making left turns. But, when I turned it on I was met with a shocking surprise. Howard Brammer, of Trader's Point Christian Church opened the event with a heartfelt prayer. I have never heard the name Jesus Christ spoken on a major network sporting event. I thought I would share it with you here, as it really touched me.
Almighty God. As we assemble here in one of the most famous venues in the history of sports, to witness and enjoy one of the most exciting events of the year, we pause now to acknowledge you as Lord of Heaven and Earth, Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of mankind. As we await the roar of engines coming from turn four which will create an enormous and collective adrenaline rush througout this arena, and as the drama unfolds with man and machine, battling endurance and speed, we pray for the safety of every driver, team member and spectator. Thank you for this incredibly great nation we call home, a nation built upon principles of Your truth. We are mindful today of our armed forces around the world, defending our rights. We pray for them, and we pray, dear God, that you would bless America in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Maybe, it is just a bunch of drivers turning left for 160 laps, but any event that has 175,000 people standing reverently, bowing their heads, praying to the Savior has got my attention.
6 comments:
I've been watching NASCAR for years. Hearing prayers end in Jesus name is a common occurance. I'm not as surprised at NASCAR doing this as I am that the television stations don't cut to commercial during the prayer.
I'm praying for you about the mall.
Brad
All I can say to that is amen! My son works for Joe Gibbs Racing, and if you didn't know, Mr. Gibbs is a faithful follower and servant of Jesus Christ.
Now I'm just waiting to see how long it will be before someone complains that it is offensive and attempts to have Jesus shut out of NASCAR as well.
I use to watch every race flag to flag but my busy schedule and my family's TV preferences often force me to tape the races now. But I must say, the invocation is the one part I always watch. Hearing the name Jesus raised on high before the largest spectator sport in the country on national television sends chills (good ones) up my spine! NASCAR is a private organization owned by a Christian family who are to be highly commended for keeping the invocation as an integral part of their events. In fact I'm very confident that the organization has been abundantly blessed because of putting God First! The ACLU doesn't dare challenge NASCAR on this because they would be publicly humiliated on a grand scale. God Bless you, Brother! Go Dale Jr!
It's too bad they have to say the '..in jesus name' part. It's awfully exclusionary to other, would-be, non-christian, race fans.
to add:
imagine if they said "...in Mohammad's name". Would that change how you felt about the race? I'm guessing it would.
This from a letter of mine that was posted in TIME Magazine...
"Brian France calls diversity one of NASCAR's two major strategic goals, yet it will not have a 'breakthrough' until it rids its events of the prerace Christian invocation. I am a Christian who believes in Jesus, but I also appreciate the wealth of religions that exist in this country and the world. Training women and minority drivers is a nice tactic on the diversity path, but NASCAR also needs to realize that religion plays a central role in people's lives. Continuing this exclusive tradition will only further alienate those NASCAR would like to bring into the fold."
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