The Super Bowl and prayer may not seem like a likely combination on the one hand. Violent physical contact and brash, confident star athletes will dominate attention, when cameras aren't panning to wives, girlfriends or parents of key players or celebrities who are in attendance. When I was growing up, I remember great angst among adults about the very idea of rescheduling the time of evening church services to accommodate watching of the Superbowl. When athletes have dropped to a knee in apparent prayer after scoring a touchdown, fans and pundits have erupted in praise or outrage or bewilderment.
This year's Super Bowl will have several religiously themed commercials. A couple of them assure viewers that Jesus "gets" them, that he understands and can help. One combats antisemitism. Others will encourage participation in prayer during Lent via a Catholic prayer, meditation, and sleep app called Hallow (https://religionnews.com/2024/02/09/super-bowl-viewers-will-get-a-chance-to-meet-jesus-boost-their-prayer-life-and-confront-anti-semitism/). While some may criticize them for one reason or another, I am all for encouraging people to consider the message of Jesus, especially his call to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. As the apostle Paul expressed it,
"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice" (Philippians 1:18).
Athletes who pray remind fans that they are more than entertainers. They too are people who yearn for God's presence when all is lost but also when they celebrate achievement using the gifts that God has given them. While we might think to critique their praying in the end zone as being like "standing on the street corners to be seen by others" (Matthew 6:5), I have been criticized sharply at least twice for daring to blog about prayer in a public forum. If their intent is wrong, they will have to answer to the Lord for that. If mine is, I will. Meanwhile, others are reminded by the athletes that prayer is legitimate response to real life circumstances. I write my blog to remind that prayers in the Bible anticipate our own moments when we need God's presence desperately, but struggle whether our words or our motives are appropriate for voicing before the throne of God.
Love is always a theme at Super Bowls. After all, football fans love football games like the Super Bowl. A 2010 Google commercial expertly told a romantic tale in 52 seconds (https://ew.com/tv/best-super-bowl-commercials-of-all-time/). This year's Super Bowl will feature two romantic sagas around one player, Travis Kelce. His romance with Taylor Swift has garnered gasps both of applause and dismay, as the singer's fans have watched football games at which their favorite entertainer might be shown cheering her boyfriend or football purists have bemoaned the distraction from the game. The other story is a continuing feature from last year's Super Bowl, a mother's love for her football playing sons. Travis's brother will not be playing for the other team this year, so their mother will be able to cheer wholeheartedly for Travis's Kansas City Chiefs. Living as I do near Kansas City, I have had easy access to televised progress reports on the Travis and Taylor romance. Each one has impressed me with their support of the other's career. Taylor has looked very much the fully involved, passionate fan of her football player, cheering and singing with other fans and talking animatedly with wives or girlfriends of other players. Travis has traveled to concerts of hers. They appear genuinely happy around each other. Their story reminds also that life is not just about winning or work, about pride or performance. Life is about love for God, for family, and for others whom God has made in His image.
Competition is at the heart of the Super Bowl. After all, there can be only one winning team. Many will rejoice and many will grieve after the game. Harsh words may be spoken and relationships strained. Some of us may need to remember these words,
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us" (Ephesians 4:29-32).
And in the end, prayer and Super Bowls have always gone together. Fearful fans have prayed for miraculous plays to win unwinnable games; winning fans have prayed with celebration, thankful for their team's victory. Pray, cheer, and live with love, my friends. And pray that whatever you or I choose, it will glorify God and bring love into the lives of others. Pray hard, my friends. And for myself, "Go Chiefs!"
- Quotations from the Bible are from the New International Version.
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