BMWs, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Babbling Prayers

March 03, 2020

From today’s reading…

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘In praying, do not babble like the pagans,

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.’” Matt 6:7

How many times do you see the cool, the hip, the pretty preachers on TV with their heads down, their hands up, their eyes squeezed so tightly shut you’re afraid they might go blind and they are TALKING TO THE LORD!

“OH HEAVENLY FATHER…LOVING GOD…ALL-KNOWING YAHWEH…ALL-SEEING ABBA…ALL-BEING GOD—CAN I GET AN AMEN? THANK YOU MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…NOW WHERE WAS I? OH YEAH—DEAR ALL-POWERFUL-ONE…YOU WHO SIT ON HIGH…”

And heaven forbid if there are two preachers on stage or if they go around the room.

It’s like the opening dance competition scene from “You Got Served” or a freestyle rap throwdown from “8 Mile” but it’s in church and everyone is trying to out-pray the other.

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, BMWs, and praying, follow the guidance of Jiu-Jitsu Champion Ricardo Guimaraes, product designer Dieter Rams, and Jesus in Matthew today: less but better.

Not less praying—pray unceasingly—but use less words when you pray.

Keep the focus on Jesus. Keep it simple. Because keeping it simple is the only way to…

Stay the course.Keep the faith.Endure.

Now go sell something.