By Adedoja Adewale


As children born into Christian homes, our lives were patterned according to some pre-existing Christian practices. We were born into a plethora of 'godly' attitudes or activities. As we grew, we began to question these things as a result of our exposure to more knowledge. 

Sometimes we are able to ask, other times we think it's not important that we ask.  Most times, we answer these questions ourselves, right in our heads. If they are not adequately answered, it may be detrimental to our faith.

Check these out.

1.Squeezing church offering in your palms to make it invisible.

Sometimes this happens for personal reasons. Still, it is to portray humility. When the offering is to be given for the poor or needy it shows that you give not because you want to be seen or acknowledged but because the bible teaches us to give. (1).

2.Shunning you when you ask who created God.

Some Christians consider this as evil thinking. However, God is the creator, he is not a creature. He is indescribable. He says 'I am the Lord your God"(2), that is the best way you can describe Him!

3.Forcing you to close your eyes during prayers.

Many have been knocked on the head for this cause. The most important reason why we close our eyes while praying is to avoid distractions, as there is only little we can here from God when we are distracted: knowing that prayer time is a communication time with God. We are to focus wholly to God. Some people also believe that there are diverse spiritual operations that goes on while we pray especially during deliverance (there could be demonic trafficking). A popular story was told of a man who got blind because he saw an angel when he opened his eyes while praying. True or not, the bottom line is, avoid all forms of distractions while communing with God.

4.Posting "Sunday service without Sunday School is incomplete" in churches.

 During sermons, we are unable to interrupt or ask questions from the preacher. In Sunday schools, we have the opportunity to teach and learn by asking questions. More so, fellowship is important and is never too much.

5.Praying before you eat.

This is practiced in most Christian homes. Jesus Christ is our example and he did likewise when he fed the multitude and during the holy communion (4).

6. Praying before and after church service even when you are late for the service.

When we were younger, we wondered what was being said. “Pray without ceasing”, is what the bible teaches us. Also, it isn't burdensome to thank God after a journey. Thank him for grace to be in church and for journey mercies.

7.Fasting on Sunday morning.

 This is a common practice in some Christian homes. Fasting is important for our spiritual growth, even when it is done on Sunday morning.

You probably thought these were unnecessary or old-fashioned, now I'm sure you know better.

(1) Matthew 6:1 (2) Exodus 6:7 (3) Matthew 26:53, Hebrews 1:13-14 (4) Matthew 15:36, Matthew 26:27