The Faith Of NASCAR
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03/25/2016 Jeremiah Thalheimer |
Greetings, readers. My apologies for my lack of writing over the past several weeks. I recently changed jobs, and the long days that came with have left me too tired to even think of writing. Anyway, with Easter approaching, I began thinking of one aspect of our sport that we take for granted but should nonetheless leave us proud to be NASCAR fans: the pre-race invocation.
At every event without fail, fans, competitors, and officials rise as one, remove their hats, bow their heads, put their hands together, pray, and say amen. The speedway becomes reverently quiet as the Almighty’s presence is acknowledged and His protection is asked for.
Consider how important this is, folks. In a day and age where Christianity is increasingly mocked and marginalized, our sport prays before each event in front of a live television audience. Name one other professional sports league that so publicly acknowledges God before an event.
This goes beyond the invocation. Groups like Raceway Ministries and Motor Racing Outreach are found every weekend and Morgan Shepherd even has Racing With Jesus on the hood of his car. Teams can often be seen in circles of prayer of their own, and Joe Gibbs is known to pass out gospel tracts in the garage.
Consider, by contrast, pro football. When is the last time an entire stadium bowed heads and prayed together before a game? Heck, when Tim Tebow was so outspoken about his faith, it actually caused controversy. In our sport, faith isn’t just acknowledged, it’s welcomed.
Readers, I can’t begin to tell you how awesome this is. We still cheer passionately for a sport that so freely acknowledges God in a very public way. The next time you watch or attend a race, during the invocation let your heart swell knowing that you love a sport that still gives God the very public place He deserves.
At every event without fail, fans, competitors, and officials rise as one, remove their hats, bow their heads, put their hands together, pray, and say amen. The speedway becomes reverently quiet as the Almighty’s presence is acknowledged and His protection is asked for.
Consider how important this is, folks. In a day and age where Christianity is increasingly mocked and marginalized, our sport prays before each event in front of a live television audience. Name one other professional sports league that so publicly acknowledges God before an event.
This goes beyond the invocation. Groups like Raceway Ministries and Motor Racing Outreach are found every weekend and Morgan Shepherd even has Racing With Jesus on the hood of his car. Teams can often be seen in circles of prayer of their own, and Joe Gibbs is known to pass out gospel tracts in the garage.
Consider, by contrast, pro football. When is the last time an entire stadium bowed heads and prayed together before a game? Heck, when Tim Tebow was so outspoken about his faith, it actually caused controversy. In our sport, faith isn’t just acknowledged, it’s welcomed.
Readers, I can’t begin to tell you how awesome this is. We still cheer passionately for a sport that so freely acknowledges God in a very public way. The next time you watch or attend a race, during the invocation let your heart swell knowing that you love a sport that still gives God the very public place He deserves.