The end of School Sponsored Prayer in Public School
Fifty years ago, on June 25, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court declared school-sponsored prayers unconstitutional in the landmark case Engel v. Vitale. The Court prohibited the recitation of a school-sponsored prayer in public schools ending the Regents Prayer because it was recommended by the State Board of Regents.
“What if we will, then God will.” This is an amazing agreement that calls us to make a decision.
God invites us to ask in prayer and God inspires us to expect an answer. Perhaps prayer in public schools did not totally end. Some students organized their own prayer groups and they continued to pray. Let’s Park and Pray at 1:11 pm every Monday and pray the Regents Prayer below. Let us end our prayers with, “Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayers!”
What if, we pray in these words and we repeat it until the prayer becomes a part of our being. It becomes a prayer that rings like a clarion call. What if God answers us? Let us pray and see.
Almighty God, we recognize our dependence upon You. We beg for Your blessings upon me, us, our parents, siblings, family, friends, neighbors, teachers, strangers, our Houses of Worship, our Country, nations and all who are in need. In our Savior’s Name , Amen.
