As fans prepare for Super Bowl XLVI, I’m sure there are more than a few who are sad that Tim Tebow and his Denver Broncos didn’t make it to the big game.
There are a variety of opinions on Tebow’s primetime praying and the reasons behind it. Regardless of what people think, his public expressions of faith have brought prayer back into the mainstream conversation, and that is great news for families.
Growing up in a small town, my family prayed before meals at home, but never when we ate out in a restaurant. When I asked my mother about this, she explained that to some people, praying in public may look showy. I would bet that in Tim Tebow’s home growing up, public prayer was encouraged and this could explain his current practice of praying after games on the field.
This is a great time to look at your own prayer rituals and discuss them with your kids. There is no right or wrong way to pray; just do what’s best for your family. Help your children understand what’s important and why. If you don’t have regular rituals, develop some for your own home, like praying before meals or at bedtime.
Our founder, Father Flanagan, famously said, “Every boy must learn to pray; how he prays is up to him.” We still believe that today at Boys Town, and provide the boys and girls in our care with guidance and direction in their spiritual lives.
Developing healthy and spiritual rituals now with your children will build a strong foundation, help them grow in their relationship with God and give them something valuable to carry on when they have a family of their own.
