Let me start off by saying that I’m pretty much an average fan of sports. I don’t watch a lot of the games, usually don’t know the standings - but I do love to watch a good match between gifted athletes, each determined to do whatever it takes to prevail and to win. By the way, did you know that the word “fan” comes from the bigger word “fanatic”. I’m not sure whether being a sports “fanatic” is something I would aspire to be.

Now, my purpose in my opening disclaimer is to make clear that I know little about the whole “Tim Tebow” story. All I know is that one day I heard his name mentioned on the news and there was this picture of this young man, dressed in full football gear, on one knee praying.

From there it all gets a little cloudy; some commentators saying he’s not much of a ball player - only, at best, an average quarterback; other’s speaking of his leadership qualities, his ability to rally his team and to find odd ways to win ball games at the last minute; others just calling him a “fluke”.

But the biggest Tim Tebow issue, what seems to bother those who are bothered most by him, is this praying thing. He gets on his one knee during the ball game and prays.

So help me out here - why are we bothered that someone is praying in public? Think of all we see in a football game on television any given Sunday.

We see girls dressed in skimpy attire, doing their little routines, certainly adding nothing to the good name of modest women - and we call them “cheerleaders”. Yeah, right.

We see players show off their inflated egos as they dance around the field, pointing at themselves, wagging their heads.

We see close up shots of coaches, shots so close that we can read clearly every expletive of profanity passing their lips. And you know what? Our young boys and girls are sitting right there with us, taking it all in, processing it all, and determining that it all must be “OK”.

So, all of this going on, and what appears to bother so many the most is what? A man praying - a man praying - praying for all to see.

You know, there was a day when good, godly men were not afraid or embarrassed to get on their knees anywhere – and pray – and few would ever even think to criticize.

What does America need today? What does our struggling, suffering America need today - more than anything?

Prayer

You keep praying, Tim – you keep praying!

Jerry Stewart

P.S. email me with your own thoughts and ideas regarding our America at stewartreport@onemomentinamerica.com

JS