08/20/2026
Something to Think About
Prague was a fascinating city to visit. Jaw-dropping cathedrals and palaces all over the city — all with amazing architecture and artwork. The Old Town section of Prague, which was founded in the 900's AD, is a UNESCO heritage site. We stayed in New Town — which dates back to the 1400's. Mind-boggling! I think of a city hall as being a utilitarian appendage on the fire station. But the town hall in Prague — which dates back to the 1300's — has paintings, mosaics, and sculptures — an astronomical clock where the Apostles parade around on the hour — even a beautiful chapel. Prague is known as the City of a Hundred Spires — but there are actually 644 spires in the city. With all these churches, you'd think it'd be a very religious city.
Unfortunately, that's not the case. Our tour guide was my age — born in 1953 — so she lived her whole childhood and young adult life under communism (and had nothing good to say about it!). But one result of those 50 years of N**i rule followed by communism is that, as she put it, the Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries in Europe. Only about 20% of people go to church. She said that she's not religious, but went through some of the traditions — was married in the Catholic Church and had her children baptized there. But she's not a believer.
Why is this? Because it was illegal to teach or practice the Christian faith for roughly 50 years. The Bible is very clear on the importance of imparting our faith to our children.
When God gave the Law to the Israelites, He said:
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be written on your hearts. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Think about it — not only were the Czechs of our generation robbed of that childhood instruction, but then they couldn't teach about God's love to their children — because they didn't know about it.
David knew the important of teaching faith to our children and grandchildren when he wrote Psalm 78:4:
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.
It's hard to over-emphasize the importance of teaching God's Word to our children and grandchildren. It's been said that "Christianity is only one generation away from extinction." And it's not just in the Czech Republic — many of us have family members who don't consider church a priority. It's up to us to keep it alive.
Love and blessings to each of you --
Janet Swaby
