Praying With One Eye Open

Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6

When I was younger, I went through a phase where I tried to impress people with my piety. Then I read theologian Paul Tillich’s admonitions against “religiosity“.

I realized that my faith is for me. I don’t need to hide it, but I don’t want to flaunt it either. There is a difference between being openly faithful and practicing faith in front of others to draw attention to oneself.

True faith first looks inward. Praying with one eye open to see if those around you are watching you pray is self-aggrandizement.

The vast majority of people don’t give a rat’s patootie about how pious you are. Of the very few who care, half are distainful of displays of piety. The other half think they are in a competition to see who is the most virtuous and they believe they are winning. These people look down on others for their lack of piety.

There is power and insight to be found in quiet, personal, inner faith.

 

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