How should a Christian view prayer in public schools?

Answer

Prayer in public schools is a delicate matter. Ideally, everyone would graciously and humbly recognize the biblical perspective of God and His supreme authority over the entire world. In such a scenario, prayer would be present in all public settings, including public schools. As stated in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” It is comforting to know that when Jesus returns to rule over the earth, this will be the reality. Until that time, Christians should approach the topic of prayer in public schools with wisdom and discernment.

Our nation was established on biblical values, and for many years, Bible reading and prayer were integral parts of the daily routine in public schools. Despite being guided by the Judeo-Christian moral code for over 150 years, the United States is no longer exclusively a Christian nation. Our society now embraces a wide range of beliefs and religions. One of the privileges of living in this country is the government’s protection of freedom of speech and religion. Unlike many other nations where one religion is enforced and others are prohibited, our diverse and tolerant nation faces a challenge when it comes to officially organized school events. If a school endorses a Christian gathering, it may also need to support events from other faiths. While advocating for prayer in public schools seems appealing, it becomes more complex when considering the inclusion of non-Christian prayers. This is a significant aspect to ponder as we form our perspectives on this matter.

How should a Christian approach the issue of prayer in public schools? Firstly, based on Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2, and 1 Peter 2, Christians are called to respect and pray for all governing authorities, including those in charge of public schools. This can be interpreted as praying for a revival of our Christian heritage within our culture; may the Lord bring about a spiritual awakening in our nation and the redemption of souls.

Second, although Christian-based prayer is not sponsored in public schools, Christian students can and should pray while attending school. Students can and should pray for other students, teachers, and administrators. Christian students should view their schools as a field for evangelism, and they should receive training from parents and churches for this purpose. No one can stop a child from praying, only from organizing a specific prayer event on public school grounds. As the saying goes, “As long as there are exams, there will be prayer in schools.”

One thing we as Christians shouldn’t do is look to government organizations such as public schools to reinforce our Christian values and beliefs. The Bible tells us that the world is opposed to the things of God. If our hope for our country is based upon electing the right officials or hiring the right principals, more than likely we will be disappointed. Our hope for our country is based upon God’s intervention as the gospel is proclaimed to the lost in all places, including public schools. Prayer may be banned in public schools, but the Holy Spirit is not limited. “The arm of the LORD is not too short to save” «Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: », (Isaiah 59:1).