Prayer or performance? The intent behind social media Christianity in Nigeria

Recently, some Christians have taken to social media to post videos of themselves praying—sometimes in tongues, sometimes fervently, sometimes dramatically. While some see this as a bold expression of faith, others believe it is a form of performative Christianity—prayer that is done to be seen and praised rather than to truly connect with God. This raises an important question: should prayer be a private and solemn act, or is there room for public, intense expressions of faith?

The Bible gives clear guidance on prayer, and one of the most striking instructions comes from Jesus Himself. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus warns against praying in a way that seeks attention: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” This passage is a strong warning against public displays of prayer meant to attract attention. Jesus emphasizes that God values genuine, private communication with Him, not outward performances. If the goal of prayer is to seek God’s presence, why should it be broadcast for the world to see?

Another example is found in Luke 18:9-14, where Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee prays loudly in public, boasting of his righteousness, while the tax collector prays humbly and quietly in private. Jesus praises the tax collector’s prayer, showing that humility in prayer is more valuable than public displays of spirituality.

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Historically, early Christians—especially in Western Christianity—practiced solemn, quiet, and meditative prayer. Churches were places of deep reflection, with prayers often whispered or spoken in low tones. Even in monastic traditions, monks would dedicate hours to silent prayers, emphasizing internal communion with God over outward displays. In contrast, today’s trend of posting dramatic prayers on social media appears very different from early Christian practice. The focus in history was on personal devotion, whereas social media prayers seem to invite likes, shares, and engagement—things that were never part of biblical prayer.

However, this does not mean that loud or intense prayer is wrong. There are moments in the Bible where believers prayed with great intensity. Hannah prayed so fervently in 1 Samuel 1:10-13 that Eli the priest thought she was drunk, but it was a deeply personal moment between her and God, not a public performance. Jesus, in Luke 22:44, prayed with such intensity in Gethsemane that His sweat became like drops of blood. Yet, this was a deeply private moment between Him and the Father, not a spectacle for others. The disciples, in Acts 2:1-4, prayed together and received the Holy Spirit with great power, speaking in tongues. However, this was a unique, divinely orchestrated moment, not a self-initiated display for public attention.

The real issue is intent. If a person prays on social media to encourage others or spread the gospel, that is different from doing it for self-glorification. But if the purpose is to gain followers, show off spirituality, or trend online, then it aligns with the kind of prayer Jesus warned against. At its core, prayer is about intimacy with God, not social validation. Every believer must ask themselves: would I still pray this way if there were no cameras or social media? If the answer is no, then the motivation needs to be questioned.

There is nothing wrong with passionate, fervent prayers—many biblical figures prayed that way. But when prayer becomes a performance for social media, it starts to resemble the very thing Jesus warned against. Christianity is about a relationship with God, not a public show of spirituality. As believers, we must return to the true essence of prayer—a sincere, humble, and deep connection with God, whether in private or in public. After all, prayer is meant to move heaven, not social media algorithms.