WEB EXCLUSIVE: What silent prayer can do

Print Article Email to a Friend

Email forwards of all kinds flood my inbox. Most encourage me to continue forwarding the email and some even promise to make all of my dreams come true if I send it to at least 10 people. Recently, a friend forwarded me an email that really got under my skin. Like most chain letters, it lacked substance. But, unlike many forwards, its subject was something that is truly important to me—prayer.

The email primarily focused on the issue of prayer in schools and berated those who oppose public prayers. It closed by encouraging Christians to fight back and stand up for our legal rights. I must say that I found the email quite frustrating as it was simply a rant with no legal standing; personal opinions without any type of support or explanation.

However, my goal today is not to pick apart the email or attack its author. Instead, I would like to offer an alternative viewpoint in addressing the issue of prayer in schools. 

As a Christian, who is also a law student, I absolutely believe that our legal system is an effective means to bring about change. And when we disagree with a law we should certainly use the avenues provided by the legal system to change that law. However, before we start trying to change the laws, we must prayerfully consider our reasons for doing so. Are we fully informed about what this law says? Does this law actually need to be changed or are we simply reacting out of fear because we feel threatened? 

For the record, there is no law that says all prayer in schools is illegal. Rather, it is school- sponsored prayer that violates the First Amendment. Simply put, the First Amendment provides that the government shall neither advance nor prohibit religion.  Public schools, as entities of the state, cannot sponsor prayer because in doing so it would be 'advancing' the religious beliefs embodied in the prayer. Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962). Whether a school-sponsored prayer is denominationally neutral or voluntary is irrelevant according to the Supreme Court. Id. In other words, public schools cannot coerce students into praying.  School District of Abington Township v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, 39 (1963). 

As Christians our true focus should not be in winning the argument or defeating non-Christians who disagree with us. As Christians, our duty is to share the love of Christ with everyone. Even those people who seemingly want to take away our legal rights. I am not saying that we should stop fighting for Christian principles. However, our fight must be done using the weapons of God's armor. Ephesians 6:10-19 specifically tells us to arm ourselves with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, the helmet of salvation, the readiness of the Gospel of Peace and most importantly to always pray. Our fight is not against people, it is against the powers and principalities of darkness.

So instead of wasting energy on trying to defeat non-Christians, let's focus our efforts on our most powerful spiritual weapon, the power of prayer. Even though we cannot participate in school-sponsored prayer; we can pray silently without ceasing regardless of where we are at the time. Silent prayer is just as effective as prayers shouted to the heavens and it is legal. Our God is a mighty God and we do not have to pray aloud nor have a school sponsor the prayer for Him to hear us.

So let’s pray! Pray that our own testimony would be genuine and there would not be opportunity for God’s followers to be called hypocrites. Pray that we will love God with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength. And also, pray that God would use us to share Christ’s love with all who cross our paths, whether they are Christians or not. 

Rachel R. Brimm is a second year law student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School.

Current Stories

Articles

• Together in faith
• A diary of worship and Bible study
• Interpreters: 'The better you do, the less you're noticed'
• Giant cooker assists feeding of the thousands
• Paraguayan Mennonite facts
• Mennonite World Conference's future?
• 'If I don't get paid, I can't say no'
• Singing each other's songs

News stories, digests and Meno Acontecer

• Stutzman named executive director
• WEB EXCLUSIVE: What silent prayer can do
• Talk to the editor of The Mennonite
• How to avoid the 'Styrofoam wars'
• UPDATE: Bartel out as Bethel College president
• CPT trainings attempt to 'undo' sexism
• MWC has new president, vice president
• Third culture kids hold first reunion
• Hispanic Women worship despite economy
• First-generation immigrants build bridges
• Christian Peacemaker Teams work in IDP camp
• MCC had $8 million deficit in 2008-09 year
• EMM send-off also honors trailblazers
• The Corinthian Plan draws 400 so far
• ¡Bienvenidos al Meno Acontecer de septiembre, 2009!
• Cruce de Caminos.
• Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano
• Y tú me diste la Bienvenida: Una consulta del pueblo de Dios sobre la inmigración
• ¡Educación Continuada, octubre 29 al 1 de noviembre!
• ¿Sabía usted que
• ¡Becas en ciencias!
• IBA en las Iglesias - Newton, Kan.
• Resoluciones denominacionales
• Elegido nuevo Director Ejecutivo para la denominación
• Reflexiones Pastorales - 6a parte
• De nuestros lectores y colaboradores ..

Columns

• Thirty good seconds on Saturday
• The blessing of a shuttle driver
• Unromantic unity
• Paraguay 2009 singing touches the soul
• Healing, hope and health-care reform.

Readers Say

• PinkMenno campaign crossed lines
• PinkMenno campaign tactics immoral
• Supports PinkMenno campaign
• Appreciated meaningful conversations
• Disagrees with The Mennonite's moratorium
• Vacationaries article is misleading
• Make room for young women to lead
• Formal response to PinkMenno campaign

Additional Notes

Rachel R. Brimm is a second year law student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School.