( CNN ) -- When President Barack Obama addressed the nation the day 20 children were killed in Newtown , Connecticut , he told the nation `` that we are praying for them . '' The moment `` Good Morning America '' anchor Robin Roberts announced she had to undergo a bone marrow transplant , many prayers were directed her way . So why is it that sports fans are upset and bothered that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis consistently invokes God and Jesus , and recites Bible scriptures ? We saw a lot of criticism toward Tim Tebow for the same thing . Criticize him aplenty for not being able to throw the football , but hating on him because of his faith ? Please , sit down . Amid 'storybook ' ending , Ray Lewis is still controversial . Olympian Lolo Jones was on ESPN 's `` First Take '' Friday and she said that it 's interesting that someone else will get more positive attention for releasing a sex tape while she is ridiculed for saying she 'll remain a virgin until she gets married . I 'll be honest , a lot of the criticism comes from individuals in the media who see religious people as weird and kooks . No , not all members of the media , but I can say in my experience as a reporter for 21 years that I have heard a lot of anti-religious , and especially anti-Christian , stuff from my media brothers and sisters . In individual discussions working at newspapers , radio stations , TV and online outlets , folks have ridiculed the religious for having convictions that do n't line up with others ' political beliefs . Yet what is so funny is that when those same individuals encountered a health crisis , had marital problems or issues with their children or were about to lose their job , they were the first ones to seek the Bible believer out for prayer . This really should n't come as a shock , because that 's how a lot of Americans are . When we do n't think we need to have a relationship with God , we 'll blow off praying or going to church . Just let the good times roll , huh ? But just wait until something bad happens . Man , we 'll flock to the nearest church , mosque or synagogue ; break out the prayer beads ; and blow the dust off of the Bible in order to be comforted . Remember the night of September 11 , 2001 ? You would have been hard-pressed to find a seat in a house of worship . We were a prayer nation on that day , when nearly 3,000 of our brothers and sisters were killed in terrorist attacks . It does n't bother me one bit to see an athlete choose to be public with their faith . God bless 'em . And if another player makes the decision to not be as public , God bless them , too . The ridicule with being a strong person of faith comes with the territory . Heck , if Jesus was mocked in his day , it 's no shock Ray Lewis , Tim Tebow or anyone else today will be ridiculed . But the key is to remain steadfast and strong . Jesus told his followers in Matthew 28:19 to `` Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . '' Opinion : Who is God backing in the Super Bowl ? Now before there was a Ray Lewis , there was a Reggie White . Just like Ray , Reggie was trashed for his religious convictions . He was told to just shut up and play football . But if God gave Reggie the gifts to do what he did , why not give Him the glory ? As a devout Christian , I will not bend , and will stand strong in the faith when it comes to my religious convictions . Afraid to say Jesus on TV ? Nope . In fact , the first four specials I hosted on CNN in 2007 were all religious specials . We may lose jobs , money , fame and public glory , but as long as my relationship with God stays intact , I 'm not bothered by the haters . Does God want the Ravens to beat the 49ers because of Ray Lewis ? No . Are you betting on the Ravens because you think Ray plays on Team Jesus ? You better recognize that God is no bookie . We can all appreciate every player for what they bring to the table , and if they are believers in the faith , then God bless them . Win or lose . Ray Lewis and other players of faith have a tremendous platform . More than 100 million people will probably be watching on Sunday . If someone makes a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior because they were inspired by Ray Lewis exhortation of his faith on Super Bowl Sunday , great . If someone just wants to watch the game , no problem . But I will be thankful that a man who is undaunted by his critics will be unapologetic in professing his faith . Ray Lewis has faced the depths of evil in his past , and like Saul he went through his own Damascus Road Experience and has been transformed . No matter the faith or the occupation , there is nothing wrong with emerging from darkness and becoming a shining bright light . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Roland Martin .
Ray Martin : Why do people criticize Ray Martin for invoking God ? Martin : It 's because some individuals in the media see religious people as weird . He says but if something bad happens , those same individuals in the media will seek God too . Martin : We should not ridicule people who want to be public about their faith .