Drive-Thru Prayer: Is This What It's Come To?
A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, my daughter and I were driving on the freeway and noticed a sign that said “Drive-thru Prayer”. Just as we were saying, “Who would want to do that?”, we noticed that there was a line of cars snaking around the building!
I guess a lot of people would want to do that! I suppose that if that’s the only way or time that you can get a spiritual boost, it’s better than nothing. HEre is an article on it from the Houston Press:
Personally, I think it begs a bigger question: What kind of lifestyle are we living if we have to go through a drive-thru to get our spiritual support? Are we too lazy to get out of the car to pray or set aside some time each day? Are we reducing Spiritual support to a hamburger and fries?
Just a thought…I’d love to hear what you think… please post a comment!
Tags: Prayer, Spirituality, Time. Lifestyle
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
I feel the same way you do on this. No time for prayer? What? I fear, we as a society, are becoming a bit lazy.
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Wowzer! Thanks for the chuckle! I wonder if thier prayers on coming true?!
September 4th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Patricia,
We are training our daughter (she’s 4) the importance of prayer. She is already coming to me with broken dolls and boo-boos on her finger asking for me to pray. So I know my teachings are sticking. Families seem to use prayer as a last resort. We need to get back to the foundations of what made this country so great. Thank you for your great article.
Kiyla Fenell
http://www.ultimatestaffingsystem.com
September 5th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Sooo, interesting! Why not? I think it is brilliant. It offers an option, a choice to folks on the go who’d like to connect with someone else to pray. Thanks for the thought-provoking post! XO, Katherine.
September 5th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Patricia,
Interesting. I assumed you must have been joking and the title was your hook to get us to hear your real point. Wow, was I wrong. Okay, so this is a real option. If the people in line would not pray at all and never teach their children the ‘importance’ of prayer is this a better option than nothing at all? Mitch
September 5th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
drive thru prayer, that sounds like it is out of a movie!
Kind of makes me giggle
September 6th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Patricia ~
This is not surprising as we want everything fast. It seems that we don’t know any other way any more. We don’t know how to be quiet to allow for a spiritual connection. It’s almost as if when we’re in our cars we get the space we need to actually think about quiet and prayer. What are some other ways we could support people while they are driving to help them “connect”?
I used to get a massage every week so I could sleep. How crazy is that? It allowed me the time to do nothing. I think the same thing is going on here. I am impressed that these folks at least acknowledge that this is something they need in their lives. The approach may be a bit crazy but they’re on the right track. Better that drive up window than Starbucks or Jack in the Box.
Love & Health,
Robin
September 6th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Hey, whatever works. What ever manner choose to talk to the Divine, is fine with the Divine, I’m sure. We are the ones with the judgment, not Her.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:36 am
This brings up a question for me: If we are too busy to be still with ourselves, our thoughts, our prayers and meditation, what are we running from?
Write on!~
Lisa
September 7th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Patricia,
Thank you for sharing this. Maybe it is not so bad. Gives people a moment in their day when they can stop and pray with someone even if it is drive-thru style. Drive-thru prayer is better than no prayer:)
Dr. Robert Fenell
Repetitive Strain Injuries
September 8th, 2010 at 3:59 am
This is the problem with the “fast food generation”…we want everything hot, fast and now! I think it is an extension of spending so much time in hectic doing, we don’t allow ourselves even a few moments of peaceful being…
Thanks for sharing!
Phil Dyer
http://www.totalbusinesstransformation.com
September 8th, 2010 at 5:31 am
Wow, the comments are as thought provoking as the post. I think it is interesting that people feel there is someplace they have to GO to pray (or work, or play, or whatever). It reminds me of an ad I saw recently that said “Work is something you DO, not somewhere you GO.”
However, at least those people in the drive through prayer line had a commitment to pray – and the line became a support for their commitment.
September 11th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Very interesting! At the risk of being controversial, I actually think it is an act of hope that they take the time to get in the car and go to the drive-thru prayer line. That is actually taking time out of their day to do it, and maybe it is making more of an effort than just praying at home or on your own. I also wonder if people haven’t lost a bit of faith in the overall church community (regardless of denomination). They might still seek a place to pray, but are possibly skeptical of fellow church-goers or church leaders. There has been so much corruption and polarization in the “church” in our life time (well, likely always, but with the media, it is much more widely disclosed and talked about). I could be wrong and certainly can’t know why these people choose to pray that way, but at least they are taking time out of their day to pray! That is an act of hope and faith, even if not everyone agrees with the medium. We certainly can’t judge their motives or know what is in their hearts. My two cents!
Warmly,
Jessica