Question 48: Why do you recite the pledges at the beginning of your Wednesday night service if the Bible says not to use repetitiveness in your worship?

Answer: The passage that this question is referring to is Matthew 6:7 which states “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” The pledges that we utilize on Wednesday nights during the Pathfinders programs are the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible. None of these pledges are prayers (as referenced in Matthew 6:7) – they are merely public professions of our intentions to remain loyal to the USA, the Bible, and our Christian principles. These pledges should be taken seriously and spoken from the heart. If indeed they are not spoken from the heart, they become “mere babblings” and are in no way pleasing to the Lord. It is important to teach our children (and the adults) the importance of strong allegiances. It is also important to emphasize that nothing recited should ever become rote or mechanical but should always be spoken from the heart “as if unto the Lord.” If that is not the case, it shouldn’t be recited at all.