Prayer in Schools

Angela Baldwin

Critical Thinking and Writing, BI 120E

Professor Terry Hudson

September 12, 2008

Prayer in School: Who Needs It?

            Since as far back as I can remember, or what seems like forever, prayer has always been a part of my daily school life.  I was taught at a very early age to pray at home, church and yes, even school.  It was not known as a time of prayer, but a’ moment of silent meditation’.  During this moment of silent meditation, everyone was given their right as an American citizen or whatever your legal resident status was, of the opportunity to pray, meditate, or do nothing, during this brief moment.  I looked forward to this moment of silent meditation, as it offered me the opportunity to pray for anything that I needed at this time.  As a young child, it was important to me.  It reminded me to pray, in case I forgot to the night before or during the morning before school.  I used this opportunity to pray to God, although I didn’t know much about Him at the time, but was taught to believe in God (Jesus) as my Lord and Savour.  I prayed for an upcoming test that day, I prayed to make friends, I prayed for my family and any and everything else I could think of.  It was just a normal part of the day.  Prayer was probably taken for granted back then and I felt that the opportunity to pray would always be there for me.

Prayer is not and never has been forbidden.  Regarding the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, the courts have consistently ruled that a students' expressions of religious views through prayer or otherwise cannot be abridged unless they can be shown to cause substantial disruption in the school.

Reinstatement of state-sponsored prayer has been attempted in different forms in a number of areas of the U.S.  Some introduced a "moment of silence" or "moment of reflection" when a student may, if he or she wishes to, offer a silent prayer. (School Prayer-The Issue, Independent Television Service, www.ITVS.org, p. 1)

            Prayer (faith) is an important element of our society.  I strongly believe that our schools would be better schools if all students were allowed an opportunity daily to pray and meditate.  Prayer strengths us, enlightens us, grounds us.  Prayer allows us to acknowledge that there is someone greater than ourselves to whom we owe honor.  Students of all faiths should be allowed to pray during a designated time each day in schools.  Having prayer in school would not only enlighten students to faith, but to discipline them, teach respect.  Prayer teaches respect that students learn about the importance of prayer and how to respect another student’s prayer time and the very act of prayer.

            A moment of silence:  

Public moments of silence in the United States both arise from and contribute to this debate over prayer, and the separation of church and state.  A moment of silence lacks any specific religious formulation, and therefore it has been presented as a way of creating reflection and respect without endorsing any particular sect.  Colin Powell, a long time advocate, has recommended a simple moment of silence at the start of each school day.  Further, he states that students could use this interval to pray, meditate, contemplate or study. (Moment of Silence, www.wikipedia.com, p.1)

Research shows that there are many who believe in students having a “moment of silent meditation” in school as I do.  Although there are those who oppose this issue, I believe that there are more who are for it.  The First Amendment protects freedom of religion.

            With the rise in students and people in general being more in tuned to their spiritual beliefs, I believe that it is still relevant today to have prayer in schools. 

Schools do more than train children's minds. They also help to nurture their souls by reinforcing the values they learn at home and in their communities. I believe that one of the best ways we can help out schools to do this is by supporting students' rights to voluntarily practice their religious beliefs, including prayer in schools.  (Clinton, 1998, Page 1)

Prayer in schools: who needs it -- Everyone!

References

Moment of Silence- Wikipedia, Retrieved September 13, 2008, from

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_in_Silence, page 1.

School Prayer-The Issue, Retrieved on September 13, 2008, from

www.itvs.org/schoolprayer/issue.html.

Sekulow, Jay, ACLU.org, (February 7, 2003), Guidance and Constitutionally Protected Prayer in

 Public and Secondary Schools

The Power of Scripture

Sarah Buttermore

Trinity International University

PS11; ENG 111E

Prof. Hudson

September 13, 2008

Abstract

The power of scripture is available to all.  This power is real and perfect.  This paper will give the proof needed to show the authenticity of scripture, as well as the power it can have in life.  All that is needed is an open mind- free from prejudices, a listening ear, and a heart to guide you.

The Power of Scripture

            All of human kind has been given a miraculous gift in scripture.  Scripture is unique because its quality does not change.  It is the inspired word of God, regardless whether you believe it to be true or not.  Therefore, its power is real and perfect.  However, what you do with scripture is what determines its effectiveness in you.  If you allow yourself to put aside past prejudices, listen to reason, and let your heart guide you then you will be convinced of its authenticity and perfection.  I suggest you listen to the proofs offered here to enhance the power of scripture in your life. 

            First we will begin with the authenticity of scripture which in turn implies the authenticity of its author.  If you do not trust the author you will never be convinced of His works.  The author of scripture must be all omnipotent, omniscient, and perfect.  If the author is not all of these things than he is a fraud and scripture contains no power at all.

 The author of scripture claims in Job to be the creator.  He states “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth” (Job 38:4, NASB).  The only way that is possible is if He is omnipotent, all powerful.  God is the only one capable of doing the majestic things that scripture claims.  He alone, in His triune being, can create out of nothing, continually sustain, and futuristically bring to a close the world as we now know it.  No other being is capable; for the simple fact that they are not omnipotent. 

            Along with omnipotence He is omniscient, or all knowing.  Only one who is all knowing could write of the past that no human was there to see, of a present so vast no one person could perceive it all, or a future that has yet to come.  All of these perspectives are covered in scripture, pointing to an omniscient author.

            Finally, scripture cannot claim perfection unless the author himself was perfect.  God prophesies in scripture.   There are at least 120 Messianic prophesies given in the Old Testament that were later fulfilled in the New Testament (Holman, 1993, pp.58-59). No other prophet has had a 100 % accuracy rate.  The only way that anyone can be a 100% accurate all the time is if they are perfect. In fact the definition of perfection is “somebody or something that reaches the highest attainable standard” (Microsoft Word, 2007).  If 100% is not the highest attainable standard than I don’t know what is. 

            These three facts point to only one author and that author is God.  Only God is omnipotent.  Only God is omniscient, and only God is completely perfect, as seen by His rate of met prophesies.  Since God is perfect then He cannot create in his omnipotence and omniscience anything that is not perfect.  Therefore Scripture, as we have proven to be authored by God is perfect as well.

            Now that we know the author of scripture and scripture itself is trust worthy, let us move on to the power that scripture contains.  To do this we will look at two different scripture references: Romans 1:16 and Colossian 1:9-11.

            “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).  This power for salvation is given to everyone.  It is not limited.  If you believe, you have obtained this power- a right only for believers. Likewise, Colossians 1:9-11 states, “you may be filled with the knowledge of his will . . . so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power.”  To be filled with the knowledge of His will you must take it in.  You must read scripture to know His will and be filled with it.  Once you have taken it in and been filled with it you will be strengthened with all power.  That power then allows you to meet the expectations mentioned within Colossian or any scripture.  

Life can be difficult.  God in his omniscience knew that.  In His omnipotence He provided for us the power needed- His power.  Because He is perfect His power through His word is perfect.  We all can have that power if we believe (Rom. 1:16).

References

Encarta English Dictionary. (2007). Microsoft Office Works [computer software].

Smith, M.A.E. (1993). Holman book of Biblical charts, maps, and reconstructions. Nashville, 

TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The Bible. NASB