Bulletin

Why All the Fuss?
Bob Bauer

Someone once said that as long a teachers gave tests there would be prayer in public schools. I suppose there is some truth to this. Without a doubt, prayers are being offered to God every day by some student who is facing a trial in his or her life, whether it be a test , family problems, or even relationship problems . With this in mind, I have often wondered why all the fuss over prayers being offered in our public school. Both by those who oppose them and those who want them.

The Bible clearly teaches that it is my responsibility, as a parent, to provide for my children the training that is necessary for them to serve God acceptably (Deut. 6:4-7; Eph. 6:4). Ultimately, it is neither the preacher's responsibility nor the Sunday School teacher's responsibility to provide spiritual training for my child, though these individuals may be used in conjunction with my efforts. I, as a parent, am the one who is to teach my child how to pray, how to worship, and how to serve God. I must do this in accordance with my understanding of what the Bible teaches. Now why, if I take my responsibility seriously, would I want to confuse my child with prayers which may be offered to Allah, Satan, or even as I heard one chaplain pray over the intercom at a hospital, to Mother Earth— or even prayers offered to God not in accordance to the divine pattern set out by our Lord (Luke 11:1-4). You see, our constitution guarantees everyone the right and privilege to pray to whomever and however they choose.

Jesus also taught that prayer was primarily a private matter. He said, "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:5,6 NKJV). Neither I nor my child need someone other than Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1) as a mediator between myself and my heavenly Father. The idea of a clergy/laity system - priests and reverends - is a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every Christian is a priest and a saint (1 Cor, 1:2; 1 Pet. 2:5,9). I can utter a prayer any time and any place and have full assurance that God hears it. Who can stop my child, at anytime, from silently offering a prayer to God, whether before a football game, a meal, or even before a test? He or she needs only to bow their head and silently offer a prayer.

Jesus taught that there were those who offered prayers primarily for show, to be seen of men. One wonders the motivation of those who seek to force prayer into the public school system. Only God knows for sure. Surely, the countless dollars and efforts wasted could be used more productively. Rest assured there are prayers being offered within our public schools though maybe not audibly. But, you know what? God hears them.