Maybe it is a vocational hazard, but I really do pay attention to prayers. For better or worse.
Saturday evening as she said the blessing at supper, Anita said, “And help all the computer programs work tomorrow.” She was praying for all our minister friends who are struggling these days with new ways to worship in a time of a global pandemic.
But it got me to thinking. (Always dangerous when matters of faith are involved.)
Is God having to learn a computer program?
Or maybe, is there one that God prefers?
Is God a Zoom aficionado, or does the Almighty lean towards Facebook Live?
Or perhaps having foresight the preference goes to Youtube.
But perhaps, with all the resources in the universe God has a technical crew that loves to Livestream!
Do you see the quandary?
After last week I really need an answer. Somehow I missed the class in “Online Worship During a Global Pandemic” in seminary. Perhaps I was too consumed with something as trivial as “The Passion of Jesus.” In the midst of trying to get a YouTube worship service together my computer decreed that I don’t have enough storage. Suddenly days of work were in jeopardy! I couldn’t upload anything, make changes, nothing!
Prayers to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob didn’t seem to do any good. But back then God just spoke through angels or dreams or burning bushes. None of those communication devices seem to be available to me!
So what is one to make of this?
Does God not like YouTube?
Was the sermon offered to the Lord deemed unacceptable?
Does God not do computers?
Is this steep learning curve too much even for the creator of the universe?
Or, maybe like God in Exodus 4:24, God isn’t good at computers?
Or maybe Amos was right. (Make up your own paraphrase of Amos 5)
See, it is a horrible horrible thing to listen to a prayer. It might make you think and ask questions. Like the one we have heard the people or Israel asking over and over again during this Lenten season. “Is God with us or not?”
We know the answer to that one. Of course!
But still, is it OK with God if we use YouTube?
(In no way should this be seen as an endorsement of any platform, though if they want to purchase and endorsement or send me detailed instructions, or an angel, I will be greatly appreciative!)