Hello, Soul Searching Family!
It feels so good to be back! It’s hard to believe that it’s been six months since I posted my last blog. Well, God has truly been faithful through this soul searching journey, and I am so glad to be back together. With out further ado, let’s get started.
Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The Law
The U.S. Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools in a 1962 decision on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment. However, when a tragedy occurs in a school system, people often wonder if that decision is a contributing factor. In other words, would these tragedies occur if students recited a state-written prayer or had a designated time to pray in school each day?
Tragic Circumstances
When a school shooting occurred this year, I read a post on social media that said, “Put prayer back into the schools and this sort of thing won’t happen.” While I wish that were true, school sponsored prayer has not proven to be the answer to our troubles. For example, school sponsored prayer did not prevent schools from discriminating against minorities or children with special needs in the 1800’s and early to mid1900s. Nevertheless, as a believer in Jesus Christ, I couldn’t dismiss this person’s comment because I know the power of prayer. Prayer changed me! So, as I soul searched with our Father, this thought came to my mind: “…No one truly has the power to remove prayer from the school system because prayer is a private conversation between us and God.”
God and Prayer Go Hand in Hand
God is omnipresent. He is present everywhere at the same time; therefore, He never left our school systems. He is omniscient. He knows everything! Nothing is hidden from him. He knows what is in on our hearts and minds before we ever utter a word. For that reason, we must teach our children how to pray! For example, prayer is not designated to corporate settings or prayer closets. We can pray anywhere at any time, and he will hear us. Students can sit at their desk and pray silently before a test. Students can go to their Heavenly Father in prayer when they’re feeling anxious, frustrated, or disappointed. Teaching them to pray will teach them that they are never alone! God hears them! God sees them! God is there for them!
Educators can walk around the room and pray silently over their children without ever drawing attention to themselves. Administrators can walk the hallway and pray over each classroom without SAYING a word. (I know an administrator who did this, and it shifted the atmosphere.) Board members could lift their district in prayer from the comforts of their home or car and ask for God’s direction. This would be evident during public board meetings because we would see the fruit of their prayer life. Personal agendas and egos would have to bow to love, joy, and peace. Just to name a few things!
No! Prayer was not removed from schools. We put prayer in a box and put the lid on it. It is time for us to teach our children and remind ourselves that there are no limits where prayer is concerned because there is no limits to what God can do. Think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it. Soul Searching with Our Father.
Soul Searching Family Moment
On your drive home from school or during dinner, take a moment to explain silent prayers to your children. For example, the conversation could begin as follows: “During a test, everyone has to sit quietly and read their test silently. You could also pray in the same way. You could sit quietly at your desk and pray silently. God will hear your prayers.”
