Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”

A few months ago, I went to lunch with a few co-workers.  (I still had them at that time. 🙂 )  I believe it was somebody’s birthday lunch of something.  Normal chit-chat, ordering, blah, blah, blah.  As the food arrived, I noticed something.  As I bowed my head to pray before eating, I noticed the other 4-5 people around the table also had their heads bowed.  Only they weren’t praying, they were all checking their phones.

Now, I don’t always pray before eating, sleeping, traveling or any of the other established times to pray.  Nor do I expect everyone to pray before their meals.  So it’s not that I’m judging those not praying at that particular time.  I just thought it was interesting that text messages, voicemails, email, Facebook and/or Twitter updates have replaced thanking God for the food we’re about to receive in a social setting.

Maybe everyone around that table falls guilty to my forgetful prayers.  Or it’s not important to them.  It’s not my place to say or determine what is important to others.  I’m still trying to figure out what is for myself.  I have to admit that most of the time my text messages and tweets take precedence over bowing my head in prayer.  It’s just interesting that bowed heads around a table can mean such different things.  Thanking a higher power or the absolute drive to stay connected.  New social norms.  Praying in public can make other people feel uncomfortable or guilty.  But incessantly checking your phone is just fine.  Present company be damned.  It’s obviously not engaging enough.

Dear Lord, I would like to thank you for the text message I’m about to receive…

Jo’van

July 23, 2009
Categories: The World...As I See It (Everything Else), Whole Truth, The . Tags:checking your phone, facebook, praying, religion, social norms, staying connected, text message, twitter, updates, voicemail . Author: tjovand

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